Hours after a Calgary woman was killed by a hit-and-run driver, a motorist reporting a minor fender bender to police was charged with her death.
Something about the driver's story didn't ring true with the police officer manning the front counter at District 2 office at about 3 p. m. Sunday.
"Sometimes something twigs in your mind,"said traffic Sgt. Graeme Ramsay.
The man's behaviour led police to believe he was a suspect in the hit and run collision that killed Sandra Casey hours earlier.
After questioning the man further, police released him. They arrived at his southwest house Sunday night armed with a warrant to search his garage.
Police have seized a white 2007 Mitsubishi Galant with front-end damage.
Stavros Steve Costoulas, 43, of Calgary, is charged with hit and run causing death.
News of an arrest in Casey's death has brought a measure of relief to her loved ones.
"It's helped a little bit. It's still painful but it's helped a lot," said Terry Wheeler, whose son and daughter own Money Pennies Eatery & Bar, where Casey had been working that night.
The married 45-year-old, also known as McEvoy, was filling in for a kitchen-staff member recovering from surgery.
She was also a regular at the Sunalta-area pub and was friends with the owners. She accepted a ride home from the bartender, and as she was crossing the street, she was struck by an oncoming car.
It is unclear how fast the car was travel-ling in the unposted 50 km/h zone.
One witness said the car appeared to be speeding, but police say they believe the vehicle was travelling close to the speed limit.
People raced to Casey's side hoping to offer help, but she was mortally injured. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Roads were clear and the area was lit with street lamps.
As friends and patrons gathered at the pub Tuesday, talk turned to the accused driver.
"Some of the customers said they feel bad for his family. They didn't want this. I wasn't thinking about him, but they were," said Wheeler.
"I think it says a lot about someone that they would try to pull the wool over your eyes," he said of the accused driver's failure to report the deadly collision.
Bar staff are planning a fundraiser to offset the costs of returning Casey's body to her native Ireland. They estimate the costs could be as much as $7,000.
A concert featuring Casey's favourite local bands is planned Saturday at 3 p. m. at Money Pennies, at 1742 10th Ave. S. W.