A 29-year-old man faces six impaired driving charges arising from a tragic incident near Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, where 80-year-old Patrick Hare, hailed as a Good Samaritan, was struck and killed. Family members have identified the deceased as Hare, who bravely stopped to assist a woman whose minivan had hit a power pole on Highway 19A early one morning.
The accident occurred around 2:30 AM PT on March 2, when Hare, originally from Red Deer, Alberta, rushed to help the injured woman. Unfortunately, his selflessness did not prevent tragedy, as he was fatally struck by another vehicle driven by the man from Coombs, located about seven kilometers from Qualicum Beach. The B.C. Highway Patrol disclosed the details of the investigation, confirming charges against the driver climbing to six, which include dangerous driving causing death and operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and cocaine.
Ronald Hare, son of the late Patrick Hare, recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the crash, sharing his father’s three calls to 911 as he awaited help. "That’s why he stopped along the highway. He just didn’t pass and keep driving on. He stopped to see what he could offer," Ronald said, reflecting on his father’s kind-hearted nature.
Despite the commendable intentions of individuals like Patrick, the B.C. Highway Patrol has urged extreme caution when intervening at the scenes of accidents. Cpl. Michael McLaughlin stressed the sense of duty to help, yet reminded people, “this is a really good sentiment... but… don’t become a victim yourself.” He emphasized the importance of assessment before getting out of the vehicle, encouraging potential Good Samaritans to evaluate their safety first.
Meanwhile, this case intertwines with another legal matter marking British Columbia’s recent judicial headlines—a civil suit where Beverly Wanklyn, from Kelowna, was awarded over $740,000 after enduring severe losses following botched renovation work by her neighbor and contractor, Rene Bertrand. This decision came from the B.C. Supreme Court after Wanklyn returned home from vacation to find her house “gutted.”
Wanklyn had initially hired Bertrand's company, Elite Lifestyle Service, during her European trip with the expectation of returning to finished renovations by May. Instead, she was taken aback to find her home stripped of its interior, with progress on her renovations halted.
The court found Bertrand had not only failed to complete the work but had also attempted to extract more money through false representations. “The defendants promised to complete the renovation... and then failed to do what they promised,” noted Justice Warren Milman. This failure forced Wanklyn to seek the services of another contractor, which cost her approximately $995,000, highlighting the financial strain due to the contractor's negligence.
Wanklyn's plight sheds light not just on the consequences of irresponsible contracting but also raises significant questions about trust and reliability within local business transactions. Bertrand did not formally respond to the lawsuit, which has left many constituents wondering about accountability within their communities.
On another front, the B.C. Securities Commission recently reported on Earle Douglas Pasquill, who has been tied to one of British Columbia’s largest investment frauds. The B.C. Supreme Court mandated Pasquill to use funds from his retirement accounts to satisfy his $36.7 million debt to the commission. Despite the ruling made on December 20, Pasquill has yet to adhere to the court's directives.
Pasquill and his associate, Michael Patrick Lathigee, colluded to defraud nearly 700 investors back in 2008 through their organization, the Freedom Investment Club. The years of litigation following their fraudulent activities have led to substantial fines and bans from the marketplace. While Lathigee has attempted to settle disputes through courts outside of Canada, Pasquill’s noncompliance continues to draw scrutiny.
The victims affected by Pasquill's actions are left seeking justice, reflecting broader concerns about fraudulent schemes undermining community trust. Without proper accountability measures, similar incidents remain potentially viable. Reports now confirm, “The commission says Pasquill has not paid any of his sanctions.”
These incidents encapsulate notable aspects of British Columbia’s legal and financial issues, shedding light on both individual repercussions of the law and broader societal impacts of drivers, contractors, and fraudsters seeking to exploit the goodwill of others. By examining tales of loss and recovery, there remains hope for improvement through vigilant legal practices and community awareness.
