The families of a young couple killed by a speeding driver four years ago continue to lobby for justice as a date for an appeal draws near.
Crown will ask the B.C. Court of Appeal to set aside the acquittals and order a new trial for Andelina Hecimovic, who lost control of her car, killing Rebecca ‘Beckie’ Dyer, 19, and her boyfriend, Johnny De Oliveira, 21, on Oct. 19, 2010.
A hearing date is set for Oct. 16.
Last month, the Dyer and De Oliveira’s families launched a second video titled “Justice Denied is Justice Delayed” to draw attention to what they say is a lack of justice.
“We keep hoping that the videos will make an impact,” said Dyer’s mother Debbie, who is part of the group Families for Justice, which has been lobbying the federal government to introduce stiffer penalties for drivers who cause fatal crashes.
“We need to have the government look at our justice system or lack there of.”
Dyer and De Oliveira were killed around midnight when a Toyota driven by Hecimovic skidded sideways over a concrete median, flipped over and landed on top of their Suzuki Swift.
Hecimovic, now 26, was charged with two counts of dangerous driving causing death, but was acquitted last October, following a week-long trial.
Although Hecimovic was speeding and ran a red light while driving in a right-turn-only lane, the judge found her actions were “simple carelessness,” not criminal.