Tuesday August 28, 2012 (Vol. 37 No. 69)
V O I C E
O F
W H I T E
R O C K
A N D
S O U T H
S U R R E Y
w w w. p e a c e a r c h n e w s . c o m
Seniors moments: Athletes from around the province – including many from the Semiahmoo Peninsula who have overcome obstacles and injuries – harvest medals at the 25th Annual BC Seniors Games in Burnaby. see page 33
VPD investigation alleges ‘numerous’ regulations not followed in White Rock chase that led to hit-and-run death
RCMP officer charged in fatal pursuit Tracy Holmes Staff Reporter
A White Rock RCMP officer has been charged with dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm in connection with the 2011 hit-andrun death of pedestrian Marilyn Laursen. The charges against Const. David Bickle
were announced by the Vancouver Police Department Monday morning. They followed an investigation conducted at the request of the RCMP. Laursen, 56, died around 10 p.m. May 18, 2011, after she was struck while crossing Thrift Avenue at Johnston Road. The driver of the car that hit Laursen –
Kyle Brandon Danyliuk – pleaded guilty in February to four charges in connection with her death. He is scheduled to be sentenced in Surrey Provincial Court next month. According to the VPD, the collision occurred while Bickle was allegedly in pursuit of the vehicle, after Danyliuk failed to stop for him on Marine Drive. The pursuit
continued eastbound on Buena Vista Avenue, then north on Johnston Road, a VPD release states. Danyliuk’s vehicle ultimately sideswiped another vehicle on Johnston Road before running a red light at Thrift Avenue, striking Laursen and fleeing the scene. see page 4
Crowning glories Grace Whittome, 4, tinkers at a craft table at the third-annual Princess Party at Star of the Sea Hall on Saturday. Nearly 180 princesses attended the royal affair, raising more than $11,000. Organizers will be putting the funds towards an all-abilities park on White Rock’s waterfront. See page 23. Boaz Joseph photo
Breed ban sought after victim mauled in White Rock
Parents thankful girl, 4, survives pit bull attack Tracy Holmes Staff Reporter
Tracy Holmes photo
Emma Cranford, 4, after stitches.
White Rock parents Mike and Elizabeth Cranford want to warn other parents about the dangers of pit bulls after their daughter was seriously injured in an attack Thursday afternoon. Elizabeth Cranford said four-yearold Emma was simply walking past a young pit bull at a family gathering when the dog growled, then lunged, clamping onto her neck. “Bite is not even the word,” Cranford said. “She latched onto her neck and took a chunk. The bot-
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tom part of her right ear… right up was his girlfriend’s pet, and “pretty to the chin was demolished.” much threw the dog across the Emma was at her uncle’s Cliff patio,” Cranford said. Avenue home for a barbecue when “Someone was watching over us,” the attack occurred she said. “He was home ❝She latched around 4 p.m. Aug. 23. right at the right time.” It happened “very, very onto her neck and Taken first to Peace quick,” said her mom, took a chunk.❞ Arch Hospital, Emma who was sitting just a few was transferred to BC feet away from Emma at Elizabeth Cranford Children’s Hospital the time. where she underwent Fortunately, Emma’s uncle – Eliz- surgery to close the wound. It abeth Cranford’s younger brother – needed 30 to 40 stitches. Her parhad arrived home moments before ents praised the medical team for and moved quickly to intervene. the “amazing” effort that prevented He grabbed the pit bull, which the need for a skin graft.
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The dog was picked up by City of White Rock bylaw officers and euthanized on Friday, with the owner’s consent. Paul Stanton, the city’s director of planning and development services, said euthanization was the only option. “We basically said, that dog is not going to be released,” he said, adding that the city was prepared to go to court if necessary to get permission to put the dog down, as it did after a Staffordshire killed a yorkie-poo in November 2010. see page 4
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