Man charged in collision that took the lives of two UBC students

University, Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service (ICARS), Major Crimes Unit

2022-09-07 15:59 PDT

File # 2021-2577

Table of Contents

  Photo of two deceased university students caucasian male short brown hair (Evan Smith)  and caucasian woman long dark hair (Emily Selwood)

A Vancouver man has been charged in connection with a single-vehicle collision in which two students were struck and killed near the University of British Columbia.

On September, 26, 2021, two UBC students were killed while walking on a sidewalk near North West Marine Drive at approximately 1:46 a.m.

The University and Richmond RCMP worked tirelessly on this investigation for nearly one full year to get to this point of charge approval, says University RCMP Detachment Commander Staff-Sergeant Chuck Lan.

Our partners with the Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service (ICARS), Integrated Forensic Identification Service (IFIS) along with many other investigators from BC RCMP Major Crime have been diligent in their efforts to provide a complete and fulsome investigation to the BC Prosecution Service.

Tim Carl Robert Goerner, 22 of Vancouver has been charged with two counts each of impaired driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death and impaired driving.

This was a difficult and tragic of incident and I want to offer my deepest condolences to the parents of Emily Selwood, 18 and Evan Smith, 18. Our thoughts go out to the families of these two students, Lan added.

The families of the two students killed are asking for privacy at this time and do not wish any media inquiries, and instead have provided the following written statements;

 


Statement of Laurie and Duncan Selwood

Our daughter, Emily Selwood was killed in a preventable tragedy during the early morning of September 26th, 2021. Let us tell you that nothing prepares you for the notification of your child’s death, especially one that was so avoidable.

Since that day, our family and our lives have not, and will not, ever be the same. All who knew Emily remain heartbroken by her sudden and tragic death.

Emily grew up on Vancouver Island and her passion for service and interest in the social sciences brought her to study at UBC. She loved spending time camping, hiking and being outdoors in nature with family and friends. She was always up for an adventure.

She was an accomplished rower, having taken up the sport in high school. Her crews earned medal wins in the eight and the coxed four at the 2019 Canadian Secondary School Rowing Association Championships. We know she loved being on the water and found a special peace there.
Emily believed that everyone deserved to be treated with dignity, respect, compassion, and care.

She did not deserve to be the victim of such a senseless act.

Today with the announcement of charges against the driver of the vehicle that struck and killed Emily and Evan, we now face a lengthy and unfamiliar future. Our family’s hope is that the individual responsible will be brought to justice on fact and evidence with a successful conviction; however, that will not bring Emily and Evan back.

Charges, court, and convictions of course do not tell the whole story, or the toll that impaired drivers take on victims and survivors. Emily was so much more than just a tragic statistic, and we want her to be remembered for what she accomplished in her short life.

Emily had a great capacity for compassion and exemplified kindness. Her dedication to service and commitment to helping others led her to work on numerous initiatives, through her school, to help those in need and protect the environment. In everything she did, Emily worked hard to embody her favourite quote by Ian Maclaren; be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.

Emily was a loyal and loving daughter, sister, and friend. Her bright light will be missed.

We are trying to find ways to carry on Emily’s legacy and keep her bright light shining. In order to help inspire students studying social sciences who want to make the world a better place we strongly support this UBC memorial fund created in Emily’s memory.

During this extremely difficult time, we are asking for privacy, and will not be granting media interviews.

Laurie and Duncan Selwood

Larger photo of Emily Selwood
 


Statement of Debbie O’Day-Smith and Adam Smith

On Sunday morning, September 26, 2021, 2 police officers arrived at our doorstep to give us devastating news that shattered our lives. Our 18 year old son, whom we dropped off to UBC only three weeks earlier, was struck and killed by a vehicle while walking on the sidewalk just steps from his University residence.

In that terrible moment, because of someone’s deliberate decision to drive after drinking, our son’s lifelong plans, dreams and goals will never be realized. This heinous act of selfishness and stupidity made our worst nightmare come true.

As we navigate our lives through our grief, we want Evan to be remembered for the remarkable person he was. Those that knew and loved him no doubt already do that.

Evan was an avid rock climber, camper and paddler. One of his most memorable trips involved canoeing up the Missinaibi River in northern Ontario to Moosonee, followed by a daring dip in the frigid waters of James Bay.

While volunteering with Scouts Canada, Evan served the community in several ways.
He was an accomplished drummer and successfully completed the Regional Arts Music Program at Cawthra Park Secondary School in Mississauga, Ontario.

He was an award-winning student with a passion for science. It was this love that led him to pursue Engineering. It was his thirst for adventure, his insatiable curiosity and the love of the great outdoors that led him to choose to move across the country to attend UBC in the Applied Science and Engineering program.

He was a loyal friend and a wonderful son and brother. His positive attitude, playful competitiveness and humble disposition left a mark on everyone he came across. We couldn’t be more proud of the young man he became.

For those that didn’t know him, know that an intelligent, conscientious, sincere and caring human being was in the prime of his youth when he was killed. This violent crime affects everyone. Driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol HAS to stop. Surely everyone knows it’s against the law, but if a law can’t be upheld, it is a useless law and our loved ones will continue to die this way.

In the days to come, we hope for a successful conviction against the suspect. However, no matter the outcome, our hearts will forever be broken.

We are asking for privacy going forward and will not be open to media interviews.

Debbie O’Day-Smith and Adam Smith

Larger Photo of Evan Smith

 

Released by

Sgt. Chris Manseau

District Advisory NCO (Media Relations)
Lower Mainland District
14200 Green Timbers Way, Surrey, BC V3T 6P3 - Mailstop #1608
Office: 778-290-3791
Cell: 250-413-7954

Email: chris.manseau@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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