The sister of a hit-and-run victim issues a video plea for one more witness

On August 30, 2024, 24-year-old Buddy Rhodes’ body was found off to the side of the Coquihalla (Highway #5) near Exit 286 in Merritt, BC. The vehicle and driver that hit him have not been found.

On the one-year anniversary of Rhodes’ death, BC Highway Patrol is releasing the victim’s name while his sister issues a video plea for a witness who could help further the investigation.

View the video: Alix Legouffe talks about the impact that Buddy’s death has had on her family, and what they are hoping will happen next

A collision reconstruction determined that Rhodes was likely hit while standing or walking at the side of the highway by a southbound vehicle. He was not discovered until up to six days later.

The last year has been really tough on all of us, going through the first birthdays, the first Christmas, says Alix Legouffe, Rhodes’ sister. If you know something and you haven’t told someone, please come forward. Our family needs the closure. We need some answers, not just ‘what-ifs’.

We are open to hearing another side of this story, including from the driver who possibly did not know they hit Buddy, says Corporal Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. We need to solve this mystery for Buddy’s family.