Vincent Belcourt says he now sits outside his hotel room in a “deadly silence,” wondering why someone drove away after hitting and killing his wife.
Belcourt and his wife Josefa, known by friends as Josie, were gathering the last load before moving from a trailer park in Surrey to a large home in Vancouver.
Josie, 57, was crossing King George Boulevard near 83 Avenue at 6:45 a.m. on Monday, March 14, when a 2010 or 2011 Honda CRV hit her and took off.
She was taken to hospital, where she died.
Police have released an image of the vehicle moments before it struck Josie (pictured left). It’s expected it will have damage on the front end from the accident.
Fifteen minutes after kissing her good-bye, Belcourt said police officers showed to his door saying Josie had been hit by a car.
“She was the love of my life,” Belcourt told a press conference Tuesday. “She would walk into a room, she would make everybody smile.”
Belcourt says he forgives the driver.
Addressing the driver directly, Belcourt urged whoever is responsible to come forward.
“You didn’t mean to kill my wife, but it was a cowardly act to go and run,” Belcourt said at a press conference at the Surrey’s main RCMP detachment.
“I ask you please to come forward to bring closure.”
The couple would have been married 27 years as of April 25.
They were both extremely excited about their move to Vancouver. The couple both worked at Lookout, a place that helps the mentally ill in Vancouver.
Belcourt will miss having Josie by his side.
“Now, for the first time, I’m realizing she won’t be there the next day,” Vincent said. “I’m devastated, and I’m kind of lost.”
Anyone with more information is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or Crime Stoppers, if they wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.solvecrime.ca
