Touches of Kanaye Renfrew can be seen on every wall of her Copperfield home in south Calgary.
The “Renfrew house rules” are written above the kitchen table, which include treating people with respect and never giving up, and the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon bib is hung proudly on a cabinet
“It’s all Kanaye, and it will absolutely stay this way,” Craig, Kanye’s husband said, staring at the walls around him.
Nearly two months ago, during the early morning hours of July 2, 30-year-old Kanaye was killed in a crash on Memorial Drive NW.
The 2012 Ford Fusion she was a passenger in struck the centre median and rolled, coming to rest wrapped around a large tree.
Investigators believe the car was travelling more than 120 km/h in a 50 km/h zone.
Renfrew was pronounced dead at the scene.
READ MORE: Victim in Calgary crash died on her wedding anniversary
Her friend, a 32-year-old woman, was sitting in the rear of the vehicle; she was transported to hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries. She remains in hospital.
The driver, 38-year-old Dale Cameron Neisz, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Earlier this month, Calgary police issued warrants for Neisz after it was believed he left the province.
On Tuesday, police announced Neisz had been located. He is facing a handful of charges, including:
- Criminal negligence causing death
- Criminal negligence causing bodily harm
- Impaired driving causing death
- Impaired driving causing bodily harm
- Operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol level exceeding .08, causing death
- Operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol level exceeding .08, causing injury
Neisz is schedule to appear in court on Sept. 2. Until then, he’s out on bail.
“He’s out on his own recognizance, because at this point there’s no flight risk or anything else that can be identified, so he’s out right now.”
For Craig, the past several weeks have been anything but easy. He’s returned to running his business part time and is busy trying to raise his son and daughter. They both have a lot of questions.
“There’s a lot of nights where our daughter is asking where mom is – that’s been the toughest thing because never in my life did I think I would have to answer a question like that.”
Despite it all, Craig is taking hold of his grief and is now reaching out to others.
“I’m starting a men’s grief support group in Calgary. It’s just a place for men who are going through any type of grief to come to, just to talk,”
When searching for counselling of his own, Craig, found some support groups had a wait and he believes he can help others by talking about his own experience.
“Really the people that have experienced this, which is really unfortunate that people have to experience it, but those people, really have the ability to help other people.”
The group will have its first meeting on Sept. 7. The time and location will be posted on its website.
Police said both excessive speed and alcohol were deemed to be factors in the collision.
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