Court hears of grieving family's loss as B.C. driver gets $1,500 fine for crash that killed cyclist

A minibus driver who struck and killed a cyclist at a Metro Vancouver intersection last year has been ordered to pay a $1,500 fine for driving without due care and attention.

Daryl Beecroft, 73, pleaded guilty to the single Motor Vehicle Act charge in Surrey provincial court on Tuesday, admitting to fault in the death of 57-year-old Mike Starko on Apr. 14, 2022 in Tsawwassen.

Judge Jay Solomon addressed a courtroom filled with the victim's friends and family, telling them that the sentence should not be taken as a reflection of Starko's value.

"His life is obviously worth a great deal more to everyone who knew him than any penalty that could be imposed today," Solomon said as he handed down the sentence.

Both Crown and defence had agreed that $1,500 was an appropriate fine. 

The court heard that Starko was out for a bike ride with two friends on a clear, sunny afternoon when he was killed.

Beecroft, a driver for Tsawwassen Ferry Park and Go, was headed northbound on Salish Sea Drive when he came to the intersection with Hawk Lane, according to an agreed statement of facts. Starko and his friends were cycling southbound in single file.

The light was green in both directions, and Beecroft admitted that he saw Starko enter the intersection, but he thought he had enough time to make a left turn. He did not, and Starko crashed into the passenger side of the minibus, dying almost instantly.

'My partner is gone'

Before the fine was handed down, the court heard heart-wrenching victim impact statements from Starko's family, who described the death as a catastrophe they are struggling to come to terms with.

A Crown prosecutor read out a statement from widow Kathy Starko, who said she feels like she's been living in a parallel universe since she came home and found two police officers at her door, waiting to give her the tragic news.

"My life suddenly jumped onto a new path," Kathy Starko wrote. "I still can't really believe this is my life. My partner is gone."

But she also said she didn't want Beecroft's life to be permanently damaged in the same way hers has been.

"This tragedy has happened and nothing will change the outcome," her statement read.

Statements from Starko's three adult children were also read for the court. In each, they described a fun-loving, supportive father, and spoke about how they've had trouble getting their lives and careers back on track after losing him.

"I have this recurring dream where I know my dad is going to be killed and I have to find him and warn him," daughter Emma Starko's statement read.

"I wake up in tears every time."

In all, 12 victim impact statements were presented to the judge for consideration.

Brother-in-law Jay Robinson appeared in person to read his statement into the record, choking back tears as he talked about their plans for retirement and Starko's dedication to his family, including Robinson's son and step-son.

"Over the years, my son had followed in Mike's footsteps and become a triathlete," he told the court.

Starko died on his nephew's birthday.

"Sadly, my son no longer rides a bike," Robinson said.

Beecroft did not speak during Tuesday's hearing, but his lawyer told the court he is "extremely remorseful." He will have six months to pay his fine, and will also have to pay a victim surcharge.