British ColumbiaThomas Leslie Phillips is charged with impaired driving causing death, among other offences, for a hit-and-run that left one cyclist dead and another injured during a training session for a charity bike ride in July. Thomas Phillips charged with impaired driving causing death in July incident that left 1 dead, 1 injuredAndrew Kurjata · CBC News · Posted: Oct 09, 2025 11:51 AM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour agoShane Kelly was killed in a hit-and-run in Prince George, B.C., on July 7 while he was training for the Cops for Cancer charity bike ride. (Shane Kelly/LinkedIn)RCMP say a Prince George, B.C., man is facing numerous charges in a hit-and-run that left one cyclist dead and another injured last July.The police service says Thomas Leslie Phillips has been charged with impaired operation of a vehicle causing death and impaired operation causing bodily harm, as well as failing to remain at the scene of the accident and dangerous operation of a vehicle.The charges stem from July 7 when two cyclists were training for the Cops for Cancer charity bike ride in the north-central B.C. city.Shane Kelly, an active member of the cycling community, was killed, while the RCMP officer he was riding with was taken to hospital with serious injuries.WATCH | Remembering Shane Kelly:Prince George cycling community remembers fallen cyclistFamily, friends, and the Prince George cycling community gathered for a special group bike ride Sunday to honour a cyclist killed in a hit and run while training for a fundraising ride. As Hanna Petersen reports, a special police escort led his team members as they gathered for their first group ride without him.RCMP say the pair were riding on the side of the road when they were struck by the driver of a black Ram 1500 truck, who fled the scene, leaving parts of his vehicle behind.Cyclists fear for safetyA police chase including a helicopter followed the highly public incident, with witnesses describing debris and broken bike parts left on the side of the road.It had a chilling effect on the local cycling community, with members expressing their fear about riding on roads. Prince George has a lack of dedicated cycling infrastructure, including even painted-on bike lanes in many areas.”A lot of people were afraid to go back on their bikes, myself included,” said Karin Piche, Kelly’s friend and captain of the Wheelin’ Warriors bicycle team in Prince George.She said she still hasn’t been on her bike since Kelly’s death, and she knows others who are in the same boat.She expressed some relief that charges had been laid and the driver may be held accountable, but was uncertain if it would bring closure to the community.”You can’t take away from the fact that Shane’s no longer with us,” she said. “It’s going to take a while.”Ron Gallo, another rider with the Cops for Cancer fundraiser, said the charges had “reopened some old wounds,” while also hoping it would result in safer streets.He said Kelly was a “great man” who helped raise thousands for charity. Following his death, nearly $100,000 was donated to Kelly’s Cops for Cancer page, with funds going toward supporting children and families.RCMP Cpl. Jennifer Cooper said the case had deeply impacted the city of Prince George, as well as the local RCMP detachment as Kelly had been riding for a police fundraiser when he was killed.”Our investigators have worked very hard to bring this investigation to the charge-approval stage,” she said in a release.Phillips’ next court appearance is set for Dec. 10.With files from Hanna Petersen
Driver charged in hit-and-run death of cyclist in Prince George
