A single red rose marks the spot where a cyclist was killed by an alleged drunk driver in east Maple Ridge a week ago.
Unlike other fatal crashes, the place where Jon Burstynski died has yet to turn in roadside memorial. There are no photographs or candles, balloons or bouquets.
Friends of the 36-year-old are only now learning about his tragic death on Dewdney Trunk Road at 3 a.m. on May 24.
Cody Parsons, who was Burstynski’s best friend in elementary school, had a “gut feeling” when he heard about the cyclist being killed.
Parsons called friends who still live “on the bad side of town,” but nobody knew who the man was. Police were unable to identify Burstynski immediately and pegged his age between 20 and 40. They have yet to release his age or name.
Parsons eventually got a message on Thursday, confirming his childhood friend had died.
“It hit me pretty hard,” he said.
Burstynski was struck by white Kia Sportage, which was being followed by a RCMP officer who suspected the woman behind the wheel was drunk.
The Mountie spotted the Kia speeding in the 23200-block of Dewdney Trunk Rd. The officer was about to stop the SUV when the 52-year-old driver lost control and crashed near 243rd Street.
The SUV burst into flames following the crash, but the Mountie quickly put out the fire with an extinguisher from his police cruiser and pulled the woman out of driver’s seat.
The officer then realized the SUV has struck a cyclist, who was riding east.
Burstynski, 36, was tossed several metres and landed in a wooded area. The father of three was found by a police dog and pronounced dead at the scene.
“Jon was my best friend as a child and now he’s gone ... “ said Parsons, who was a classmate of Burstynski at Fairview elementary in Maple Ridge.
In the past few years, Parsons had lost touch with Burstynski, who he said struggled with addiction.
Parsons plans to make a wooden cross for his friend.
“I commend police for trying to get her off the road. The officer was just doing his job,” said Parsons.
The Kia driver is being investigated for drunk driving causing death, but RCMP said it could be months before it is determined if charges will be laid.
• Police are anyone who saw the white Kia before it crashed to call them at 604-463-6251. For leave an anonymous tip at CrimeStoppers.