Winnipeg Sun, Wed, June 29, 2005
Collision kills cyclist
N.D. man charged in death
By CHRIS KITCHING, STAFF REPORTER

A North Dakota man accused of killing a cyclist in Winkler was wanted by cops for driving erratically minutes before the accident, police said yesterday.

Anna Giesbrecht, 22, died Sunday of injuries she suffered when she was hit by a car Friday night at the corner of 14th Street and Southview Drive.

Cops were looking for the same vehicle, which spun its tires in a parking lot while nearby officers were conducting a separate traffic stop, Winkler police Insp. Brad Kehler said.

IGNORED STOP SIGN

Witnesses said the man was driving above the posted 50 km/h speed limit when he ignored a stop sign at the T-shaped intersection and slammed into Giesbrecht, Kehler said.

The driver, who veered into a dike after the collision, took off on foot but returned to the scene and was arrested, he said.

Liquor was in his car but police aren't saying if booze was in his system at the time of the accident.

Giesbrecht was rushed to Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, where she died of undetermined injuries, Kehler said.

Grieving family members told The Sun the woman suffered from multiple sclerosis and was out for a ride to stay in shape.

"We're sorry that she had to go so soon. We were best friends," said Helen Giesbrecht, the victim's sister. "She went out of her way for everyone and never asked for anything in return."

Anna Giesbrecht lived with her parents in Winkler, about 82 km southwest of Winnipeg, and worked as a health-care aide at a personal care home.

She loved to spend her time outdoors and was passionate about photography, her sister said.

"She wanted to do shows and go all over the world taking pictures of things."

The family moved to Canada from Mexico in 1987 and settled in Winkler, where Giesbrecht took courses at Red River College's satellite campus following high school.

An outpouring of support from the community and the family's faith are guiding it through a difficult time, Helen Giesbrecht said.

"We've had so many prayers sent our way," she said. "I think Anna would just be unbelievably grateful for everything and humbled by the response that we've gotten."

In addition to her sister, she's survived by her parents, David and Eva Giesbrecht, an older brother and other relatives.

David Fehr Penner, 21, of Walhalla, N.D., is charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death, failing to remain at the scene of an accident, and carrying liquor in a vehicle.

He remains in custody awaiting a bail hearing today in Morden provincial court, police said.