Jimmo hit-and-run occurred hours after proposing to girlfriend
The death of Ryan Jimmo took another tragic turn when it was revealed he was killed on the same night he got engaged to his girlfriend.
Jimmo's fiancee Roxie Reece spoke to CBC.ca about the horrible events that led to the 34-year-old former UFC fighter succumbing to fatal injuries after being the victim of a hit-and-run on June 26.
The evening started off on a romantic note when Reece accepted Jimmo's marriage proposal at a movie theater.
"He said: 'Honey, you're absolutely the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on in this entire world. I just love you so much. I just want to marry you and have children with you,' said Reece. "To which, I was like, 'OK honey, let's do it, that would be awesome.'"
Later that night, the two went out for a drive when they were menaced by two young men following them in a truck. Attempts to let the truck pass were ignored, and rather than risk being followed home, Jimmo pulled into a parking lot where he attempted to speak to the truck's drivers.
"It was kind of scary. There was something not right there and I didn't know what was going on," said Reece. "So Ryan, you know, got out to talk to them and they were not nice guys and Ryan came to get back in the car. And they said something else and he went back to talk with them."
Before Jimmo could return to his vehicle, he was hit by the truck, which promptly made its getaway. He would later die in a hospital in Edmonton, Alberta.
The two suspects are currently in custody. Reece insists that despite their senseless act, she bears no ill will towards them and only wants to emphasize the inspiring legacy that Jimmo left behind.
"I think Ryan's up there smiling down saying 'What are you guys all crying for? Wipe your tears. There's stuff to be done! We gotta go make a difference here,'" said Reece.
"I'm now taking everything that Ryan taught me to be strong the rest of my life and to finish out what he started. I want all of us to come together, not in hatred … and to be the best versions of ourselves that we can be because that's what Ryan would have wanted."
- With h/t to Bloody Elbow