VANCOUVER – An arrest has been made in the hit-and run death of a beloved teacher and father of two in the Comox Valley on Monday night.
Paul Bally was cycling along Highway 19A when he was struck by a vehicle. His family reported him missing at 10:56 p.m. and he was found in a ditch by his wife about 45 minutes later. Despite the best efforts of emergency teams to save him, he died from his injuries in hospital.
Acting on a tip from the public, Comox Valley RCMP officers went to a property in the Comox Valley area on Wednesday and found a 2003 Ford F350, which they seized for further examination.
55-year-old Timothy Prad was arrested at 8 p.m. on Wednesday and made his first appearance in Courtenay Provincial Court today, the details of which cannot be disclosed due to a publication ban.
WATCH: Sgt. Mark Whitworth has information on the arrest made in the death of Paul Bally.
“On behalf of our investigative team, I would like to thank the public for their support and assistance with this investigation,” said Inspector Tim Walton, the officer in charge of the Comox Valley RCMP. “Our team remains committed to completing a thorough investigation of all the circumstances surrounding this collision, bringing much needed answers to Paul’s grieving family.”
Friends have set up a funding page for Bally’s family and many are leaving condolences for a teacher they loved and respected.
Comox Valley RCMP Victim Services and family liaison officers are actively supporting Paul’s family. Multiple RCMP resources remain committed to this ongoing investigation, including RCMP North Island Traffic Services, the Comox Valley RCMP General Investigation Section, RCMP Forensic Identification Services, and the RCMP Collision Analyst/Reconstructionist. The Island District RCMP Tactical Troop and Air Services helicopter have been involved in the days since this collision.
WATCH: Paul’s wife made a desperate plea for the driver to come forward on Wednesday afternoon:
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