The family of a Maple Ridge man killed in a hit-and-run in Abbotsford say they forgive the driver and urge the person to come forward.
Barry Cutforth, 37, was identified Monday morning at a press conference as the person killed on South Parallel Road, between Whatcom and Cole roads, on Oct. 14 at about 8:30 p.m.
He was struck by a passing motorist, who might have been driving a dark-coloured vehicle, said Mission RCMP Sgt. Miriam Dickson. Cutforth was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency crews.
Family members gathered at the site, where two white crosses at the side of the road are marked with sentiments such as "Mike's brother and best friend" and "Barr – Love You." A bouquet of white lilies rests at the foot of one of the crosses.
Crystal Cutforth, Barry's sister, spoke on behalf of the family, saying her brother was "a good guy with a great sense of humour" and he always put family first.
"We are asking the person who did this to come forward now, and do the right thing," she said through her tears.
"Please – my mother and I, and the rest of our family just want closure, and to grieve for him in peace."
Dickson said Cutforth was possibly walking along the road en route to the Interior, although she did not have other details. He was wearing dark clothing in an area where there were no street lights, she added.
She said the driver would have known they hit something, although there is wildlife in the area and they might not have realized they had struck a person.
"The individual likely panicked, and that's why (he or she) left the scene."
Abbotsford Police Const. Ian MacDonald previously said that police had two interactions with Cutforth on the day of his death.
Patrol officers responded to a complaint from a fast food restaurant in the 34500 block of DeLair Road at 6:15 p.m., and one from a driver on Highway 1 near Whatcom Road at 7:15 p.m. MacDonald would not reveal the nature of the complaints.
Mission RCMP is heading the investigation because the incident occurred on First Nations land, which is under the jurisdiction of the RCMP and not municipal police.
Dickson said the vehicle involved likely would have some front-end damage. Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call Mission RCMP at 604-826-7161 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.