The young victim of a head-on collision caused by an impaired driver has been identified as a semi-professional soccer player with Harbourside FC based in Nanaimo.
On Wednesday, July 19th, an impaired driver was driving the wrong way down Nanaimo Parkway and caused a head-on collision with another vehicle.
The 24-year-old driver was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
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Since Wednesday, that young man has been identified as Reid Enzo Ross Davidson. He had the role of Game Day Manager for Harbourside FC in Nanaimo and had been active in the sports community from a young age.
By all accounts, he was a beloved player and person throughout BC.
Davidson grew up playing soccer as a boy in 100 Mile House, Williams Lake, Kamloops and Vancouver before moving to Nanaimo as a young man to attend Vancouver Island University (VIU) and play soccer as a VIU Mariner.
At VIU he got his Bachelor of Tourism Management, Recreation and Sport Management diploma, giving him the education he would need to continue on in his sporting endeavours.
With his diploma, he began his career as an Administrative Lead with Nanaimo United FC, as well as playing in the Vancouver Island Soccer League.
On social media, an outpouring of support and kind words have been posted to share just how important Davidson was to his family, friends, teammates and the soccer community at large.
“With heavy hearts, we share the news of Reid’s passing,” said Harbouside FC in a Facebook post.
“We remember Reid as one of the kindest and most selfless souls we have ever known. His absence leaves a void in our lives that can never be filled.”
In honour of Davidson and his countless contributions to Harbourside FC, both the mens’ and the womens’ teams will be playing memorial games this past Sunday.
“This Sunday, we will dedicate our Harbourside men’s and women’s games to honor Reid’s memory,” said the club. “A moment of silence will take place before the men’s match.”
“We extend an invitation to all to join us in celebrating the life of one of the finest individuals we’ve had the privilege of knowing.”
For the two games, fans wore casual-formal attire while fans, friends and family were encouraged to put on any Toronto Raptors, Vancouver Canucks and Seattle Seahawks gear, as those were some of Davidson’s favourite teams to support.
