Family and friends of a 22-year-old woman who was killed by an impaired driver filled a B.C. courtroom Wednesday, delivering wrenching victim impact statements at a sentencing hearing. Abbey Bickell died in 2023, killed instantly when the vehicle she was in was struck by a driver in a Chevrolet Silverado pickup that sped through a red light in Burnaby at 135 km/h. “I am the personification of a parent’s worst nightmare. And it’s hard to think about losing your child,” Abbey’s mother, Amanda, told the court. Last year, Kolton Lockyer pleaded guilty to impaired operation of a motor vehicle causing death and impaired operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm in the case. Amanda displayed the last photo she took of her daughter while she took the stand to address the court. “It is the worst pain imaginable. And when that grief comes in a sudden and violent and inexplicable manner, the trauma is just unfathomable,” she said. “Abbey was an absolutely random victim. And I think what’s most upsetting is that this could happen to any one of us at any time,” she continued. Nine family members and friends shared statements in court outlining how deeply Abbey’s death has affected every part of their lives. Amanada added that 20 victim impact statement total were submitted to the judge. “We are so grateful for the people who will take the time to hear us, to see us, to not look away, to ask us about our children,” she said. “It’s what keeps them alive for us.” The Crown is requesting a five‑year prison sentence, while the defence is asking for two years less a day. Amanda told the court that no sentence will ever reflect the magnitude of the loss. “I think that’s the problem with impaired driving cases. There is no justice because we can’t get Abbey back. It’s not like having something stolen or something ruined or broken. She can’t be just paid for and brought back,” she said. The grieving mother stressed that her daughter’s death was preventable and urged others never to get behind the wheel while impaired. “This is not a tragic accident. This is a choice that people make. You know you are going to drink. Don’t drive. There’s lots of other options. It’s that simple,” Amanda said. The sentencing hearing is expected to conclude later this week, with the judge likely to reserve a decision.
