Police continue to investigate the death of 73-year-old Betty Anstey from Oliver, who died after being struck by a vehicle on Main Street on Monday. Lyonel Doherty photo
A 46-year-old Oliver man has been identified as a suspect in a motor vehicle accident that killed a 73-year-old woman on Main Street earlier this week.
Police confirmed that Betty Anstey from Oliver was killed Monday when struck by a pickup truck near Fairview Road at 6:21 a.m.
According to the investigation, Anstey was attempting to cross Main Street when she was hit by a northbound vehicle. The driver of this vehicle reportedly stopped to assist the woman.
But witnesses stated that a second northbound vehicle struck the woman while she was lying on the road. This vehicle did not stop, according to police.
First responders attended, but Anstey was pronounced dead at the scene.
The RCMP issued a press release on Monday, asking for the public’s help in the investigation.
The following day, a 46-year-old man attended the Oliver RCMP detachment in connection with the fatality. The suspect was released without charges pending further inquiries.
Anstey’s death created a lot of emotions in the community.
One Main Street businessman said too many motorists exceed the speed limit early in the morning, noting that some travel at 80 km/h through town.
Others commented that the length of time (approximately an hour) that it took the RCMP to arrive on scene was unacceptable.
Sergeant Ken Harrington from the Oliver RCMP said the detachment is not a 24-hour police service, therefore, they rely on the availability of staff during on-call hours.
“As such there will normally be a delay, less or more, depending on the home address of our on-call member.”
Harrington said they are always looking to provide the best service they can.
“We certainly appreciate any frustration by our clients when there appears to be an unreasonable time delay.”
Many people have fond memories of “Betty” and what impact she had on the community.
One legion member said she was an “icon” in town and will be missed.
Betty, who used a walker to get around, was known for walking all over town on a daily basis, collecting bottles and waving to people through their front windows on Main Street.
Wayne Jones from the Oliver Bakery said Betty came in every morning for a coffee and was so helpful to everyone.
“She couldn’t do enough for people.”
Jones said Betty would pick up the bakery’s newspaper to ensure they got it.
A reverend from Penticton, known as “Pastor Peter,” was a good friend of Betty’s. (He does outreach work up and down the Okanagan Valley, including Oliver.)
“She always had a smile, she was always very caring . . . I gave her a hug all the time.”
Pastor Peter said people were truly blessed by having Betty around.
“Everyone in the community knew her even though they didn’t know her name.”
Although Betty knew a lot of people, she was alone, especially after losing her partner some time ago.
“Betty was really a sweetheart,” the reverend said, adding that people like her give Oliver a sense of community.
“Community is walking down the street and honking your horn and people wave . . . it’s Andy Griffith . . . that’s what Betty was.
The pastor believes that she shrunk the community and brought everyone closer together. She loved the Lord and glowed when she talked.
“For me, she is just dancing (right now).”
By Lyonel Doherty
