DIDSBURY – Town council has approved a project to recognize a seven-year-old girl who died in a still-unsolved hit and run in town on Aug. 26, 1968.
Kathleen Zazulak and a friend were riding bicycles at 20th Avenue and 16th Street when she was struck by a large truck. She died at the scene and the vehicle driver was never found.
Under the Ghost Bike program, a bicycle painted white with a small sign bearing the deceased's first name, time and date of the incident will be placed at the scene of the collision.
Kathleen’s brothers Bob and Ron Zazulak are spearheading the memorial effort.
In a letter to council, Ron said, “Our family would like to place the display at the incident location on or before August 26, 2018 for an appropriate period of time. It has been suggested that the area schools may wish to use the display as a reminder to the children that bike safety is of paramount importance.
“Perhaps the display could remain on location for a few weeks into the school year. Should you wish our participation in any school presentations we would be glad to assist you.”
Mayor Rhonda Hunter told council she remembers the day Kathleen Zazulak was killed.
The impact on the community was “very wide,” said Hunter.
During the June 26 council meeting, councillors passed a motion approving the setting up of the memorial at 20th Avenue and 16th Street from Aug. 26 to Sept. 16.
A way to recognize cyclists killed in road collisions, the Ghost Bike program started in the U.S. in 2003.
