Byron Chatham’s smile is just one of the many things that will be missed by family and friends.
Byron, 19, has been identified as the Vernon man killed Friday afternoon when his bicycle collided with a lowbed tractor trailer unit around 1:30 p.m. near the intersection of Silver Star Road and L&A Road.
There’s a Facebook page devoted to Byron’s memory, and everyone has commented that it is his smile they’ll remember.
His dad Roy said Byron was a man of few words, but he was always smiling and he loved his family and friends. Byron loved anything to do with the outdoors, including biking, hiking, skiing and kayaking.
He was cycling to do volunteer work at Heron Grove when the accident happened.
It’s a ride he’s taken many times before, and a route he and others often walk.
Vernon RCMP, the coroners service and an RCMP traffic reconstruction analyst continue to thoroughly investigate Friday’s accident.
“Analyst investigations are very complex and take a significant amount of time,” said Cpl. Gerry Kovacs.
“They look at the totality of evidence and the situation. They’re very in-depth.”
Kovacs said the analyst’s report would answer questions such as the direction of travel of both the cyclist and the truck.
The report is expected to be completed within four-to-eight weeks. Meanwhile, RCMP continue to talk to witnesses of Friday’s accident.
Roy Chatham believes that improving safety on that stretch of Silver Star Road and L&A Road should be a priority.
“It is a bad road and a very bad intersection,” said Roy.
“Lots of kids live in the Foothills, the BX is getting bigger and a lot of people bike and walk on that road. We need a cycle and walking path.”
The Chathams don’t blame anyone for the accident but they want the road safety improved so this doesn’t happen to anyone else.
They also are grateful for the passers-by who helped at the accident scene.
A memorial service for Byron Chatham will be held Saturday, at 2 p.m., at All Saints Anglican Church in Vernon.
Friends wishing to make memorial contributions in memory of Byron may do so to Independent Living Vernon, “Cycle For Independence,” #107-3402-27th Avenue, Vernon, B.C., V1T 1S1.
It’s a cause that Byron has been involved with for the past six years.
