B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 know how many best friends you can have.B次元官网网址�

If that quote isnB次元官网网址檛 a true measure of a man, I donB次元官网网址檛 know what is.

The young man featured prominently in the photo collage above is Reid Davidson. The former Vancouver Island University soccer standout had the world at his feet. Just 24, he had a job as an administrative lead for Nanaimo United FC. University graduate, working at a job that featured one of his passions, a lovely girlfriend, loving family and more friends than you can count.

Then, in a flash, worlds were turned upside down.

, ReidB次元官网网址檚 car was struck on the Nanaimo Parkway by a minivan travelling in the wrong direction. Nanaimo RCMP that investigators believe alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the crash, as there were reports of the van being driven erratically and police were looking to locate and stop the vehicle. After the collision, the minivan driver fled on foot and was located after RCMP Police Dog Services were called in.

To date, no charges have been laid, as the investigation continues.

Reid did not survive the crash.

IB次元官网网址檝e known ReidB次元官网网址檚 dad Mike since we were kids and friends growing up together in Duncan. He moved to 100 Mile House to continue his teaching career, married his wonderful wife Lisa and together they did a remarkable job raising Reid and his sister Lydia.

I havenB次元官网网址檛 seen Mike in person for a few years now, but kept up via social media and when we did talk, slipped comfortably back into familiar roles and lexicon, poking fun at each otherB次元官网网址檚 favourite hockey teams and recalling past glory.

In the aftermath of ReidB次元官网网址檚 death, I still donB次元官网网址檛 have the right words. I wish I did. With a son approximately the same age, I canB次元官网网址檛 imagine the nightmare. Like many, many others, I ache for the family. So tragic. So senseless. So unfair.

Mike and Lisa had recently moved to a new home in Kamloops to enjoy retirement. They were just heading to bed on the Wednesday night when they got the news no parent should ever receive.

B次元官网网址淚t was about 11 at night,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭here was a phone call from (ReidB次元官网网址檚 girlfriend) GeorgiaB次元官网网址檚 mom (in Ladysmith). Lisa answered and I could see from her expression something was wrong.B次元官网网址�

Reid was on the road heading home, after attending a birthday party for GeorgiaB次元官网网址檚 young nephew.

B次元官网网址淛ust the kind of stuff he would do,B次元官网网址� said his dad.

Later that night, police called and explained the investigative process may take some time.

Since then, itB次元官网网址檚 been a whirlwind. Mike said it doesnB次元官网网址檛 seem real and the family is taking things one day at a time, comforted by a massive outpouring of love and support and the knowledge Reid meant so much to so many.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 helped a lot,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been hearing from people every day for the last week, constantly getting messages from everyone. So many people trying to be supportive of us. The maturity level of the kids that age, ReidB次元官网网址檚 friends, just blows me away. Saying the right things, doing the right things. IB次元官网网址檝e been skeptical lately on the future of this world and some of the things IB次元官网网址檝e seen coming up but when we met many of his friends over the last while, we realize not only that he had quality friends B次元官网网址� many more recent, some since youth B次元官网网址� but these are just mature, good people. The hospital visiting room was filled with longtime friends, as well as most of the Harbourside womenB次元官网网址檚 soccer team, and many others. These wonderful friends give me more hope for the future, for sure.B次元官网网址�

While understandably angry (B次元官网网址渨eB次元官网网址檝e run through all the emotionsB次元官网网址�), Mike said they are choosing to focus on the good.

B次元官网网址淗opefully justice will be served,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏ut we are not going to give our time and energy to this person. Rather we want to focus on the positive memories and think of all the lives Reid touched. There is already too much hate in the world, weB次元官网网址檇 rather focus on the positive. We know Reid was a good person, obviously, but had no idea how many lives he impacted in a positive way, until we arrived on the Island after hearing about the accident, meeting all the people and seeing all the posts on social media of people reaching out. ItB次元官网网址檚 quite surreal. We raised a really special person.B次元官网网址�

They did indeed.

Mike said he heard from many devastated young people, a large number of whom told him Reid was their best friend.

B次元官网网址淪o many best friends,B次元官网网址� said Mike. B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 know how many best friends you can have.B次元官网网址�

Asked about fond memories that immediately sprang to mind, Mike said B次元官网网址渢here are so manyB次元官网网址� but one did stand out.

B次元官网网址淲e were so happy when our kids graduated from university,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淟isa took Lydia on a mother-daughter celebration trip. So I promised Reid weB次元官网网址檇 go to Vegas for his graduation. But COVID hit for a couple of years and then last year we didnB次元官网网址檛 get the chance. But this spring break, we got our trip in. Did all kinds of great things. Every day was just amazing.B次元官网网址�

There will be two celebration of life ceremonies for Reid.

The first, said Mike, will be Aug. 12 (1:30 p.m.) at Thompson Rivers University Grand Hall (Campus Activity Centre) in Kamloops. The second will be Aug. 26 (1 p.m.) in Nanaimo at VIU gymnasium. Everyone is welcome.

I hope the facilities are big enough.

PQB B次元官网网址/Vancouver Island Free Daily editor can be reached at 250-905-0019 or via email at philip.wolf@blackpress.ca.

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