Driver involved in fatal hit-and-run facing charges
Posted July 24, 2011 7:21 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
ABBOTSFORD (NEWS1130) – A 17-year-old boy faces charges for his involvement in a hit-and-run that killed 17-year-old W.J. Mouat Secondary graduate Desmond Bassi in Abbotsford yesterday.
The driver and his passenger turned themselves in to police Saturday afternoon. The damaged vehicle was seized and a criminal investigation is under way.
Friends of Bassi plan to hold a candlelight vigil at the teen’s former high school tonight to remember him.
A memorial page on Facebook quickly reached over 1,200 members.
“I was in total shock tonight when I heard the news, Desmond,” wrote one mourner, Ryan Colbert. “You were such a nice kid and a great kid to coach, you could tell in Gr. 8 you would be an awesome talent and it all came true. I was proud to hear you were headed to SFU next year to play ball… RIP.”
Others expressed anger at the driver who had left the scene.
“The person who did this WILL be brought to justice,” wrote Rebecca Redshaw. “They say the good die young. Condolences to friends and family.”
At 1:30 a.m. on Saturday Bassi and a group got separated after leaving a party. They were walking home when Bassi was hit by a car around Blueridge Drive and Townline Road.
Other drivers stopped to help the teen, but he died in hospital soon after.
Anyone with information is asked to call Abbotsford Police at 604.859.5225 or CrimeStoppers at 1.800.222.8477.
