The absolute ‘hell’ wrought by a hit and run
‘It’s like this black cloud over my head,’ says mother of teen killed two years ago
Michael Morlang has two roadside crosses: one about love, one about labour, pounded into the soil between fields of ripening corn, where the tassels sway to the sound of August crickets.
Oil-stained gloves hang on a cross beam, as does a welder’s shield — the ironworker’s armour — while handmade bouquets wilt at the base, in plastic margarine containers maybe rummaged from a kitchen cupboard.
Peeking out from the grass is a disposable lighter, some rolling paper.
Things hastily assembled and left; meanings to be guessed at, words to the point: “You will always be my best friend. Jim.” What else can they do? Morlang was found dead 12 days ago along this rural stretch of Frank Kenny Road, just outside Navan, the victim of a hit-and-run driver.
So far, no arrest has been made.
You only hope the tragedy of Michael Morlang, just shy of 31, does not turn into the misery of Jessica Godin, only 18, or the saga of Robin Brunet, only 22.
Jessica was found dead almost two full years ago, on Sept. 24, 2011, in a roadside ditch in the village of Fournier, about 80 kilometres east of Ottawa. Robin died July 31, 1999, as she tried to cross Hwy. 31 in South Gloucester at about 2 a.m. to rejoin friends at a bar.
They were both victims of hit-and-run. Neither case has been solved.
In the weeks following Jessica’s death, a suspicious truck was seized, but released. Many motorists were canvassed in targeted stops. A $50,000 reward was offered. Still, nothing.
“It’s been hell,” said Jessica’s mother, Nathalie, on Thursday.
“Two years may seem like a long time to you, but for me it’s like yesterday, still. It’s like this black cloud over my head.”
She remains confident in the police investigation and believes the culprit will be caught. She visits her daughter’s grave about once a week, she said, as it is a short walk from the house. Birthdays, holidays, Christmas, are particularly difficult periods.
Godin said she tries to keep mentally busy, avoids long spells by herself and relies on professional therapy. The police, she adds, have been good at keeping her in the loop.
Every month, she features a different photo of Jessica on her Facebook page. For this month, number 23, she posted a photo of Jessica’s casket being borne down the steps of the church. “I try to keep her in people’s minds on a regular basis.”
OPP Sgt. Kristine Rae said the reward remains unclaimed and the case open. “As no one has been arrested and charged in her death, there continue to be several persons of interest.”
It looked as though the case was turning when the truck was seized in October 2011, and three individuals were questioned by police on suspicion of manslaughter. But the vehicle was returned a short time later, with no charges laid.
Godin, meanwhile, said she would be happy to speak to the Morlang family to share the wisdom of her experiences.
“I don’t know who they are, but they can contact me anytime.”
The Morlang case is still fresh. Police have confirmed they found some debris at the scene and are hoping to match it to the make and model of the vehicle.
There is often so-called paint transfer in catastrophic collisions and police are looking at whether they can pin down the colour. As the accident occurred between 5 and 5:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning, the motorist was almost certainly local and likely not a commuter.
Police are asking anyone with information to come forward.
One of the questions that has nagged Nathalie Godin is whether speedy medical attention would have made any difference. In other words, if the motorist hadn’t “run.” Jessica may have been by the roadside for as long as three days before she was found.
Morlang, however, was apparently spotted walking about 20 to 30 minutes before the accident.
It is a clear stretch of roadway, with painted lines and sufficiently wide paved shoulders, the speed limit at 80 km/h. Only the edges of houses and barns are visible in the distance. It would have been dark at that hour, cries for help hard to hear.
There are some obvious difficulties in solving such crimes. The scenes can be isolated, poorly lit, away from witnesses and beyond the reach of traffic cameras that might catch a glimpse of vehicles coming and going.
Plus, it is easy to hide a damaged vehicle in farm country.
But, likely, they will find the driver. With each passing day, it gets worse for him or her. Because, while the gloves may fall off the cross and the flowers die, the suffering knows no season.