ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary continues its investigation into a fatal Friday-evening vehicle-pedestrian accident in St. John’s as a family and school community mourn the victim.
Police have not released the name of the woman who died when struck by an oil truck at the intersection of Forbes Street and Topsail Road in St. John’s around 5:30 p.m., but several social media messages indicate she was Frances Galgay.
The first such post was from former St. John’s city councillor Jonathan Galgay, who said it was his mother who had succumbed to injuries in the accident.
It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that our loving mother Frances Galgay passed away this evening as a result of a tragic motor vehicle accident.
— Jonathan P. Galgay (@JonathanGalgay) February 6, 2021
Our family asks that you pray for all those involved including first responders. This has impacted many families. pic.twitter.com/NO4g0H9zbX
More posts followed, including from St. Peter’s Junior High in Mount Pearl, where Frances Galgay was an assistant administrator at the school.
It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our beloved school secretary, Ms. Frances Galgay. Frances was a pillar of strength, love and laughter to our SPJH family. We will miss her more than words can ever say. Thoughts and prayers to all of Frances' family and friends 💙 pic.twitter.com/Yj7EBf8DPo
— SPJH (@SPJHPythons) February 6, 2021
Meanwhile, Chris Forward, general manager of Harvey’s Oil, issued the following statement late Friday night:
First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with the family who lost a loved one this evening. As a family-owned business in Newfoundland & Labrador, we are deeply saddened by this tragic incident and feel for everyone involved.
A Harvey’s Oil truck was involved in a vehicle pedestrian accident on Topsail Road, in St. John’s, in the early evening of February 5, 2021. At this time, the accident is under active investigation and we are cooperating fully with the investigators. We have also started an immediate internal investigation.
At Harvey’s Oil we take the safety of our customers, the public and our workers very seriously. We will respond further once more details become available.
As part of its investigation, the RNC said its investigators were looking a dark-coloured sedan which they said had been involved in the incident, but had not remained at the scene.for
⚠️ADVISORY⚠️ Accident Investigators requesting assistance of the community with locating a second vehicle involved in a serious collision at Forbes St-Topsail Rd this evening. The vehicle, believed to be a dark sedan, left the area prior to arrival of first responders. #nltraffic
— Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (@RNC_PoliceNL) February 6, 2021
Keith Gosse is a photojournalist covering breaking news in St. John's.
@TelyPhotoGosse
