'He will never get see his two children grow up': Sentencing in deadly hit and run involving Strathroy cyclist
Iwan Smolders, 45, was known to be a loving husband, father and community man. On October 11, 2021 that all ended when he was struck and killed while out on a bike ride along Calvert Drive near Strathroy. Outside the London Courthouse today, his family spoke about the devastating impact the tragedy has had on the entire family.
“He will never get the chance to see his two children grow up and that’s very difficult,” says Frances Smolders, Iwan’s sister.
His wife Sonia Freider says the children have been through so much saying, “I want them to be happy and no matter what they choose to do I know Iwan would be proud of them.”
Months after the crash, Provincial Police arrested and charged 54 year old Fredrick Earhart and as the court heard, he has long struggled with alcohol addiction and he is currently dealing with it.
The court heard that Earhart thought he hit a deer on that night, but in the days after the crash he hid his Dodge Dakota truck after taking off from the scene.
Vehicles travel along Calvert Drive in the Township of Adelaide-Metcalfe near Strathroy, Ont. on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. (Bryan Bicknell / CTV News)
Last month he plead guilty to hit and run.
At the sentencing hearing Justice Spencer Nicholson told the court, "He (Earhart) took active steps to hide his vehicle for three months."
In a joint submission from both the Crown and the defence Earhart was given a two-year conditional sentence, with one-year house arrest and a one year driving prohibition.
Turning to the family Justice Nicholson said, "I recognize that none of my words today can possibly mend your wounds."
Reading from a prepared text after the sentencing Sonia Frieder said, “Go out today and perform an act of kindness as Iwan would have done to make the world a little brighter for someone.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Jay-Z accused of sexually assaulting 13-year-old in 2000 incident along with Sean 'Diddy' Combs
A woman who alleges she was sexually assaulted by Sean 'Diddy' Combs has amended her lawsuit to include allegations that she was also assaulted by Jay-Z at the same party.
Who is Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the insurgency that toppled Syria's Assad?
Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the militant leader of the insurgency in Syria, has spent years working to remake his public image, renouncing to ties to al-Qaida.
A timeline of the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the search for his killer
The search for the killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's has stretched beyond New York City and continues. Here's what we know so far.
Trump calls for immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and says a U.S. withdrawal from NATO is possible
Donald Trump on Sunday pushed Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine, describing it as part of his active efforts as U.S. president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office.
Suspect wanted after victim forcibly confined, assaulted, and threatened with death in Scarborough
Police have released images of an individual who allegedly forcibly confined, and assaulted and threatened to kill another person in southwest Scarborough over the weekend.
Baby found dead in south Edmonton parking lot: police
Police are investigating the death of an infant in south Edmonton.
Do you recognize these men? RCMP seek Metro Vancouver grandparent scam suspects
Mounties in Metro Vancouver have released photos of two men alleged to have been involved in “numerous” so-called grandparent scams earlier this year, hoping the public can help identify them.
Pantone names its colour of the year for 2025
Pantone has named an 'evocative soft brown' its colour of the year for 2025, continuing a tradition that has now run for more than a quarter of a century.
Quebec Premier meets with Trump, Zelenskyy and Musk during Paris trip
Quebec Premier François Legault met up with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk while visiting Paris this weekend.