Described as the “backbone” of her family, a mother killed in a suspected impaired driving hit and run is being mourned.
Linda Davey was walking with a friend and her 15-year-old son, who was in a wheelchair, along Bridleridge Way SW on Wednesday night when a vehicle careened off the road and plowed into them, killing the 42-year-old.
Sheralee Stelter of the Calgary Cerebral Palsy Association (CCPA), where Davey was a director, told Metro it is a tragedy for the entire organization and the family.
“She was the backbone of the family and they are just devastated. You know, she was a great mom and she will be greatly missed,” Stelter said.
Davey was the main caregiver for her son, whom Stelter referred to as Josh, who suffered from cerebral palsy, and Stelter said “no one took care of Josh like his mom did.”
Josh remains in ICU recovering from his injuries, which include a broken pelvis, according to Stelter. Another 30-year-old victim is also recovering from her injuries.
“The worst thing is they emigrated from England because the sidewalks were more accessible here. It is tragically ironic she would die that way.”
When contacted by Metro, the Daveys weren’t prepared to comment, except to say “as you can understand it’s a very difficult time for us.”
Police suspect the driver was drunk at the time and he refused to provide a breathalyser when he was picked up, Sgt. Graeme Ramsay of the CPS traffic unit said.
“We had him in the processing unit before he was charged and it was obvious alcohol was involved in the collision and he was charged with impaired,” Ramsay said.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) vice-president of the Calgary chapter Denise Dubyk said the tragedy is a reminder of how society must continue advocating against impaired driving.
“Every one of these is a tragedy. They were just out for a nice walk with loved ones and everything is OK and then this happened,” she said.
Police have charged 36-year-old Darren Coupal with one count of impaired driving causing death, two counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm, one charge of hit and run, failure to provide a breath sample and several more including driving with a suspended licence and not having insurance.
