Last Monday at 12:50 pm, a fatal crash killed a regular customer of Hillcrest local bakery by the Warehouse.

A witness, Reuben (who did not wish to disclose his surname) provided details on the crash. Reuben was on his way to a birthday lunch when he saw the tragedy. He recounted to the police, “I was going to the bakery to get a feed, and then I just saw this old lady go to her car and then when I hit here [the corner] she was in her car and accelerated forward, hit the barrier, then just f…ing she was in shock or something then just launched at him.”

The victim was around 38 years old, his name unknown for privacy reasons, and was described as a “well known [customer] at the York St Shops” according to Chhay Lim the co-owner of the Sai bakery and café. He was a regular customer who would spend six to seven hours watching the world go by, seven days a week. Lim described him as a “such a lovely guy” and how he would never beg for money but enjoyed being in the bakery. It had become his routine to go there.

Lim, the owner of the bakery and café added that the victim’s carer had once informed them upon a visit about his [the victim’s] disability. He has truly loved the place he was supposed to lose his life at.

Unfortunate or destined, the victim had not sat on his usual seat on the left-hand side of the bakery. On Monday, Lim and his wife noticed this and stated to the police, “Normally he sits on the left,” Lim said, “but for the last few months he had sat on the other side [of the shop], I’m not sure why?”

April had been a month of breaking into stores, physically hurting retail employees and occasionally hearing Judges schooling adults on their “ungrateful behaviour” but the first day of May was no worse, a death. The tragic death has left the community in shock, specifically the Hillcrest citizens who would remember this event when visiting the Warehouse in the future.

Though the event is no less painful for the close ones of the victim and Lim and his wife who had become fond of the man, Lim expressed his feelings. He had added to the police, “He was just such a nice guy, I want people to know that. It’s just shocking really. It happens to good people like that.”

The car park was closed by the police but later reopened as the police continued to investigate the accident. As I write this, there is no further information on the case nor on the unnamed elderly lady who caused the death of such a lovely man. I will continue to monitor this case closely and provide update on any further developments on this case.

This incident serves as a reminder of how important it is to be vigilant while driving, especially in crowded areas. It is fortunate that it was not 3:00 pm when this heartbreaking incident took place, otherwise small children would have been exposed to such a horrifying scene.

This crash would be remembered for a while when it’s still fresh, but the employees and owners of the bakery will always feel the absence of the victim from his usual seat, undoubtedly remembering him as the kind man he was.