‘It’s left a big hole in our lives’; One year after Coquihalla hit-and-run, victim’s family pleads for information

The family of a man killed in a hit-and-run on the Coquihalla Highway one year ago is making a desperate appeal for information.

The body of Buddy Rhodes, 24, was found at the side of the Coquihalla near Exit 286 in Merritt on August 30, 2024.

An RCMP collision reconstruction expert says Rhodes was likely standing or walking at the side of the highway when a southbound vehicle struck him and kept driving. Police believe he could have been struck up to six days before his body was discovered.

In the year since he was killed, RCMP have learned little about the vehicle and driver that hit Rhodes. According to Rhodes’ sister, that has prevented the family from gaining closure and moving forward.

“Buddy’s death has impacted all of us in different ways. It’s left a big hole in our lives,” said Alix Legouffe in a video posted to the BC RCMP website. “We’re still working through the process of how to move on without him.”

“The last year has been really tough on us, going through all of the firsts — the first birthdays, the first Christmas, all of the family dinners,” she added. “I’m getting married in a few weeks and having my brother not there… we’re still trying to figure out how we’re going to do that. It’s been tough but we’re trying.”

(Courtesy of RCMP, YouTube)

When RCMP initially announced the investigation, they reported Rhodes was wearing a grey hoodie and black track pants at the time he was killed.

Cpl. Michael McLaughlin of BC Highway Patrol notes the person driving the vehicle that hit Rhodes may have been unaware of what happened.

“We are open to hearing another side of this story, including from the driver who possibly did not know they hit Buddy,” said McLaughlin. “We need to solve this mystery for Buddy’s family.”

Legouffe agreed the family would be extremely grateful to learn how Rhodes’ life was cut short.

“Buddy was funny. He was kind. He had the biggest smile. He lit up every room he walked into with all of his energy,” she said. “I miss most being able to talk to him, the phone calls, the messages, the interaction, the time he spent with my kids. He was a great uncle. I miss everything about him.”

“If you know something and you haven’t told someone, please come forward,” added Legouffe. “Our family needs the closure. We need some answers. We need to know what happened, not just ‘what ifs’. It would mean the world to us if you could just please let someone know.”