Man charged after hit-and-run that killed Cops for Cancer charity rider in Prince George, B.C.

Cyclists participating in a Cops for Cancer charity ride in B.C.

A man has been charged with multiple dangerous driving offences in connection to a hit-and-run incident that killed a cyclist training for a charity bike ride in Prince George, B.C., in July.

Rider Shane Kelly was training for the annual Cops for Cancer Tour de North with a teammate when the two were struck by a pickup truck that fled the scene.

Kelly died in hospital while his cycling partner, a Prince George RCMP officer, suffered serious injuries.

According to a statement issued by the Prince George RCMP Thursday, Thomas Leslie Phillips has been charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle causing death, impaired operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm, failing to remain at the scene of an accident causing death, failing to remain at the scene of an accident causing bodily harm, and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

Kelly’s death in July had rippled through B.C.’s cycling and law enforcement communities, with numerous people offering tributes in the days that followed the collision.

He was noted as being a supporter of various cancer research fundraisers, and was described by Laura Nelson, manager of the Cops for Cancer event, as being a “caring and enthusiastic team builder.”

In the statement Thursday, Cpl. Jennifer Cooper said the incident hit the community of Prince George, as well as the local policing community, “very hard.”

“This not only involved a Canadian Cancer Society Cops for Cancer Tour de North rider but one of our own police officers,” she said.