Woman dies after trying to help elderly father parallel park

CTV Ottawa: Family reeling from Easter tragedy A Trenton family is coming to terms after a 54-year-old woman was accidently killed after her elderly father hit her while parking his car.

Brad Conley describes it as a “terrible” and “tragic” accident gripping his family to the core.

His 54-year-old wife, Tammy, lost her life after trying to help her father parallel park near the Civic Campus of the Ottawa Hospital yesterday.

The couple’s 15-year-old daughter witnessed the entire thing. Brad Conley says she has not spoken much since it happened.

“We were made aware of it, because the daughter was crying and crying for her mother,” says John Collins.

Collins says he knew something was wrong when he heard Samantha Conley wailing in the street. He owns the home where the black SUV stopped after striking a parked car and then Tammy.

Ottawa police say “the driver driver reversed into the space and struck one vehicle parked behind him.” Police say that is when a woman ran out in front of the vehicle from the Parkdale Avenue sidewalk. Police say the driver accelerated forward hitting another car and then running over the woman.

Brad Conley confirms his 79-year-old father-in-law was behind the wheel at the time; and has not been doing well since it happened.

“I don’t know how you feel when you hit your own daughter with a car,” says Brad.

Saturday morning was supposed to be a loving family visit to the hospital. Mother, daughter, and grandfather -- all together to deliver a birthday card to Tammy’s mother being treated for a blood clot in her head.

The Conley’s live three hours away in Trenton.

When Brad returned home with his son and daughter last night, they were greeted by friends waiting to give emotional support as they grieve.

Brad says his house is full of kids and that the phone has not stopped ringing.

Tammy Conley was a funeral director in Trenton for more than 30 years. She is survived by her parents; husband of 24 years Brad, 18-year-old son Mason, and 15-year-old daughter Samantha.

Ottawa police are investigating.

With a report from CTV's Claudia Cautillo