One Year Later, Tow Truck Driver's Family & Friends Remember

Here's the story from the Winnipeg Free Press:

Family, friends and co-workers gathered at the corner of York Avenue and Donald Street today at 4:30 a.m. to remember Amanda (Mandy) Frizzley.

The 26-year-old woman was killed at that location one year ago at about that time when the tow truck she was operating was struck by a driver who was allegedly going the wrong way down York at excessive speed.

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Friends painted a cross and the number 403, Frizzley's tow truck number, on the street, as well as placing a wreath and flowers on the corner. (Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press )

“I am guessing probably 50-60 people turned out,” commented Frizzley’s father Craig. “It went very well.”

Frizzley’s co-workers painted 403, the unit number of her truck, on the road to commemorate the spot where she died.

“This was the anniversary of the day that she was killed right after 4 in the morning,” said Craig Frizzley. “The other reasons (for holding the vigil) were that we really wanted to get the word out about the preliminary hearing of the accused, which is scheduled for Oct. 22-24.”

Steve Watkins faces charges of driving impaired causing death, driving over the legal .08 blood-alcohol limit and criminal negligence causing death, according to court documents.

“Also everyone there wanted the public to know that we’re just not going to stand for these criminal acts and impaired driving on our streets.”

“Its been a year of dealing with it,” said Craig Frizzley, adding, “but (hopefully) final closure will come when the judicial system doesn’t fail us.”

Frizzley’s mother Janet said in a prepared release that the vigil was a chance to raise awareness, and remind the public and the justice system that driving drunk causes devastation, destruction and the death of far too many innocent victims.

“Absolutely nothing can bring Mandy back,” she said. “Our concern is not about revenge, it is justice for Mandy, and a benchmark to ensure that other families like ours do not have to live through the horror of losing a child to an alleged drunk driver.”

allan.besson@freepress.mb.ca