BUS STRUCK HOMELESS WOMAN: Friend claims death an accident
Victoria police are still holding two men without charge after the death of a homeless woman who was allegedly pushed in front of a bus Thursday night.
The woman has been identified as Ariana May Simpson, 20, known in the street community as Harley. She was killed around 11:30 p.m. after being struck by a B.C. Transit bus at the corner of Pandora Avenue and Quadra Street. Yesterday, a memorial at the scene grew to include several floral tributes, notes and pictures of Simpson.
One of the two men being held is Chris Groves, 20, according to friends who insist the whole thing was a tragic accident.
Police received permission from a justice of the peace to keep the men in custody for three days, said spokesman Sgt. Grant Hamilton, adding police will not release any names until tomorrow.
Marty Lacerda, a friend of Groves, said Groves and a buddy were pushing each other when they were approached by some homeless people who told them to knock it off. Lacerda, who wasn't at the scene at the time but yesterday stopped to talk to a reporter at the memorial site for Simpson, said he was told the two were surrounded and Groves pushed the woman to get out of the confrontation. The two are being held at Wilkinson Road Jail, he said.
Police have not confirmed Lacerda's account, but Oliver Petersen, who witnessed the incident, said previously that two well-dressed men who appeared intoxicated were yelling at each other when members of the homeless community told them to be quiet. Petersen said one of the men then pushed Simpson in front of the bus.
The two fled the scene, but witnesses managed to catch and hold them until police arrived and took them into custody.
Lacerda, who went to Arbutus Middle School and Mount Douglas High School with Groves, said he is not a violent person.
"He was a really popular guy. He never got into any fights or anything," he said.
Josh Whitehead, who has known Groves since he was six, said Groves was studying to be a real estate agent.
"He's not a bad guy. He's got a little brother who looks up to him. He's not an aggressive character at all," Whitehead said. "He's never been known to do anything along these lines at all." At the memorial for Simpson, flowers were strewn among the bushes, and there were notes written in coloured marker on pieces of cardboard as friends kneeled down and wept.
A laminated photo of Simpson, smiling and crouched in front of a garden, was nailed to a piece of wood. Below were the lyrics to John Lennon's song Imagine. A note signed by her mother and father said: "Born into a harsh world that she tried to make a better place. We love you." Close friend Jason Lovejoy, 30, said Simpson was a happy, free-spirited person. "I just can't believe it. I haven't been able to sleep since it happened." Police have interviewed more than 20 people and have about a dozen officers investigating the death.
kderosa@tc.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist
http://www.timescolonist.com/Life/Friend+claims+death+young+woman+accident/1292575/story.html
It hurts me people in this artical keep stating how good the man who Murdered Harley is. Harley was an amazing young woman and there friend took away her life Forever, how good can he be, HE IS A MURDERER!
They keep talking about how great the man who murdered Harley is because he is a good guy. I no him and grew up with him as well. It was an accident. Harley was high on crack and charged at my friend. he was trying to get out of there. But this happened. I feel everyones loss but i also have to stand up and say we cannot let another good person rott for something that was a freak accident. I thought really long about what i would have done if i was surround by a bunch of people late at night and running up at me. I would have tryed to get out of their and this is what Chris did. What happened was a fatel one second life changing mistake. I am sorry to Harleys family for this loss but i have to put some responsiblity on Harley for her actions that night. Is Chris Grooves a Murderer? NO! Was this a horrible thing to happen to two people YES. Its funny how fast everyone is to judging the guy that was attacked himself. I want you to think about all this really hard. Or maybe even get your facts straight befour you put up a post.
I know for a fact my friend Harley is dead, forever, and you will see your friend again he will live a full and healthy life. I think the consiquences are much worse for her. She did not deserve to die no matter what you say or how you feel. A freak accident is tripping and falling accidentaly, not being pushed. Kids who street race or people who drive drunk and kill don't mean too either but it happens and they deseerve to be punished. Taking anothers life is no mild matter in my eyes. I do not believe a tiny girl like Harley could be a big enough threat to warrent murder. Who cares if she was high she was still an amazing person, a great person, a wonderful beautiful person and it would be nice to hear how great she was too. By the way were you there? Did you see it with your own eyes? How about I won't judge you for loving your friend who you will get to see and hug and hear, and you don't judge me for mourning the death of mine eh. Cause sorry but I will not love or feel any warmth or greatness for the man who killed her. Perhaps one day, with the help of Goddess I can forgive. Think of it from my perspective if it was him(your friend) hit by a bus, and be honest Don't bullshit me how would you feel.
Oh and nice try blameing the dead victim, that is shameful!
i can't say for sure, but i think, after killing someone, by accident or not, a person will not be the same. yes, life goes on, but how to live your life after knowing you have killed someone is not something i ever want to have to face.
HizzyP says on it's page;
HizzyP
* Member Since: December 18, 2009
* Home Base: Vancouver
* Currently In: Vancouver
About
blah blah
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And on this page it says;
"What happened was a fatel one second life changing mistake."
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I SAY;
People do that every day and have to pay for the rest of their life. Why shouldn't he?
Other than the double standards government and those that SERVE them hold for those that don't. A street person receive justice over a taxpaying member of the government administering that 'justice'?, AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN.
And besides that WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU EVEN DOING HERE??? Everybody reading this check out this characters page.. You joined Dec. 18 and your only contribution to a homeless site is to say some "blah blah" bullshit?
THEN YOU WANNA COME AND DEFEND A FUCKING MEMBER OF YOUR ADMITTED WORLD? Over a dead homeless girl?
You need an LE. Take that as street Law Enforcement AND a Learning Experience. Just like your LITTLE GIRL PUSHING FRIEND!
Why don't you crawl back into your cozy little NON homeless world and leave this place to those that are homeless or at least identify with them.
Besides, reread the posts between you and Crystal.
She whooped your ass. What's that feel like?
Harley, rest in peace sweetheart. No girl deserves to be pushed IN FRONT OF A BUS by a male person. For he definitely was not a man, he would have walked off.
DAMNNN.....
Hizzyp you should really get the story straight.
You just made yourself look like an ass, I hope none of my family ever reads what you posted, it would break there hearts just like it did to those last posters.
Ariana is gone, because of Chris' actions, regardless if she "attacked him" he still murdered her. He might have not intentionally pushed her, but he had enough anger in him to. It's his fault, he is a bad person, because what he did is terrible, and how he reacted after is even more shameful.
He fingered my Aunt and Uncle at the court house. Oh what a great person he is, I mean first killing their daughter and then saying "hey fuck you, now I have to go to jail" boo fucking hoo you ended someones life, do your time and shut up.
May you rest in peace Dear Ariana(Harley),
It has been a little over a year and you are not forgotten. Your beauty has left it's mark on the world, and your smile is forever caught in my memory. The last time I saw you you hugged me and gave me some advice, I will always hold it close to my heart and follow it!
Thank-you for gracing this world with your exsistance. Many regards and condolences to your family, it was a treasure to know Ariana she was an amazing person!
The saga goes on.... Today Harley's killer is on trial. See article on the Victoria page or on www.timescolonist.com
He should be in jail where murderers belong.
KILLER GOT MANSLAUGHTER...WOOHOOOO!