News release
“It’s hard to put into words how grateful we would be.” The sister of a hit-and-run victim issues a video plea for one more witness
August 28, 2025
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Merritt, British Columbia
From: BC Highway Patrol
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File # 2100 2024-3322
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
Transcript
[Alix Legouffe] - "Buddy's death has impacted all of us in different ways. It's left a big hole in our lives. We're still working through the process of how to move on without him."
"Buddy was funny, he was kind, he had the biggest smile. He lit up every room he walked into with all of his energy. I miss most about him 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."
[Photo 1: Buddy Rhodes smiling under a grey sky]
[Photo 2: Buddy Rhodes wearing sunglasses on his head against a backdrop of mountains]
[Alix Legouffe] - "The last year has been really tough on all of us, going through all of the firsts, the first birthdays, the first Christmas, all of the family dinners. I'm getting married in a few weeks and having my brother not there, still trying to figure out how we're going to do that. It's been tough, but we're trying."
"It would bring some closure to our family to have some answers and know what actually happened or when it happened. All these unknowns is what makes it really hard to move forward."
"I would ask them to please come forward if you made a mistake, if you found out after, if you found damage on your vehicle after, please tell someone. It's been a year now. Our family would really appreciate if you came forward and let us know what happened."
"If you know something and you haven't told someone, please come forward. 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 and come forward."
"It's hard to put into words how grateful we would be to have some closure and be able to navigate the next steps."
"It's extremely important that we find out what happened. The not knowing is the hardest part of moving forward."
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.
If you know what happened, or you know someone who does, please call BC Highway Patrol – Merritt at 250-378-4262 and quote file (2100) 2024-4262.
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Contacts
Media Relations Officer
BC Highway Patrol
bchp_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
778-290-5844