Sophie Roads' hit-and-run driver found and charged 2 years later

CBC – Fri, 7 Nov, 2014

Nearly two years to the day after Sophie Roads was mowed down at a Vancouver intersection by a hit-and-run driver and left with life-altering injuries, the 30-year-old Vancouver woman is finally getting some closure.

Vancouver police have arrested and charged 29-year-old Richmond resident Terry Dai Yee Ma with failing to remain at the scene of an accident causing bodily harm.

At around 1 a.m. PT, Nov. 8, 2012, Roads, a construction worker, was struck at the intersection of Renfrew and Adanac Streets by a car travelling south on Renfrew. She was walking home after taking the bus.

Roads was rushed to hospital where she spent a month being treated for significant injuries. She suffered a crushed pelvis, a broken hip, and an aneurysm to her aorta. The tool box she was carrying severely damaged her leg leaving her unable to work.

Since the accident, Roads has undergone 20 surgeries and multiple skin grafts.

Vancouver police say they never stopped looking for the driver.

“As in other serious collisions, the investigation into this hit-and-run had unique challenges” said Inspector Les Yeo in charge of the VPD Traffic Section.

“Our investigators never stop looking for those that fail to take responsibility for their actions.”

Yeo says police are also investigating an unrelated hit-and-run collision that occurred in 2012 the following month.

In that case, 43-year-old mother Leonida Turmanda, was struck and killed crossing the intersection at East 43rd Avenue and Prince Edward Street.

Yeo has a message for the hit-and-run driver in that case and others yet to be caught.

"Our officers will not give up. If your conscience is bothering you, contact us before we come knocking on your door.”