The death of a young New Westminster woman on a Delta highway Saturday has unleashed a wave of grief in the local lacrosse community and beyond.
Olivia Malcom was killed and a female friend she was with injured in a two-car collision on Highway 17A by Ladner Trunk Road at about 10 p.m.
According to RCMP, a northbound car Malcom and her friend had been in had stopped at the side of the road on Highway 17A by a bus stop.
Both women had gotten out of the vehicle, which was being driven by Malcom's boyfriend of four years, to check the trunk and were behind the vehicle when it was hit by a northbound Jeep.
Malcom, who had reportedly been at a junior A lacrosse game in Ladner, was pronounced dead at the scene and her friend, 20, was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The Jeep driver remained at the scene and cooperated. Alcohol is suspected as a factor.
Malcom, a former player from a well-known lacrosse family, was identified on social media as the lacrosse community expressed its grief and extended its condolences to the Malcom family.
The Delta Islanders on Twitter said, “After our Jr A game Saturday night there was a tragic car accident that claimed the life of Salmonbellie Olivia Malcom. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are will the Malcom family and the entire Salmonbellies organization.”
New Westminster Minor Lacrosse on Twitter stated, “The New West Minlr Lacrosse board and entire Minor Bellie Family would like to express their condolences to the Malcom family on the tragic loss of their daughter Olivia. Our thoughts are with the Malcom’s at this difficult time.”
The Senior Salmonbellies put out the following statement on Facebook: “The Senior Salmonbellies players, coaches, support staff, management and all our fans would like to send their condolences to the Malcom family on the tragic loss of their daughter Olivia. Our thoughts are with you during these difficult times.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been created to raise funds for the Olivia Malcom Kindness Bursary. In less than 24 hours, the campaign had raised more than $25,000.
“Olivia was a shining light to all who knew her. Like the sun, her brightness was radiant and inspired positivity in those who were fortunate enough to have known her in her short time here. She was bigger than life and her lasting impact is undeniable. Her kindness will be treasured and celebrated by the New Westminster community and everyone else she touched,” said the GoFundMe page. “The Olivia Malcom Kindness Bursary will ensure that the kindness she brought is honoured in someone else. This bursary will allow a future candidate to pursue post-secondary education as Olivia intended.”
To view the GoFundMe campaign, go to www.gofundme.com/OMkindness.
Deas Island Traffic Services and the Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service are continuing to investigate.
Police are seeking any witnesses, including dash camera video, that have not already spoken with police to contact Deas Island Traffic Services at 778-290-2400, quoting file number 2018-1802.
With files from Sandor Gyarmati.
