Man pleads guilty in impaired crash that killed woman in Burnaby, B.C.

The family of a 22-year-old woman killed in a crash in Burnaby welcome a guilty plea but say that nothing will alleviate the pain of their loss.

A man has pleaded guilty to impaired driving charges in a crash that took the life of a 22-year-old woman in Burnaby, B.C., in July of 2023.

Kolton Lockyer, who was 32 years old when he was charged last September, entered the pleas in Vancouver provincial court Thursday.

Police say Lockyer was behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck that crashed into a Toyota Supra near Hastings Street and Willingdon Avenue.

Abbey Bickell was in the passenger seat of the sedan and was killed instantly, while her friend was seriously injured but survived.

Lockyer pleaded guilty to impaired operation causing death and impaired operation causing bodily harm.

He also pleaded guilty to failing to stop at an accident, however that was from a hit-and-run collision that occurred in Vancouver prior to the fatal collision in Burnaby.

“To die in this manner is outrageous,” Abbey’s mother Amanda Bickell told CTV News outside the courthouse.

Bickell says the guilty pleas are positive news, and commends the work of the police and prosecution, but says nothing will ever undo the heartbreak.

“There’s really nothing to alleviate the utter agony of losing Abbey so violently, and so suddenly, and worse, so senselessly,” she said.

Bickell says her daughter lived life fiercely and to the fullest.

“Abbey was a person who always stood up for and spoke up for what was right, she was courageous and brave,”

Lockyer is scheduled to be back in court on May 22, when a date for a sentencing hearing is expected to be set.