Reid Davidson Part 2: Legacy and Injustice

Episode 10: Aug 17, 2026

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What happens when the person responsible for your child’s death dies before the case ever reaches trial?

In Part 2 of my conversation with Lisa Davidson, mother of Reid Davidson, we explore two very different sides of life after Reid’s tragically preventable death. We share the extraordinary ways a community keeps someone’s memory alive, and then we talk about the painful questions that remain when the justice process suddenly ends.

Reid was killed after being struck by an impaired driver in Nanaimo, British Columbia, on July 19, 2023. His family expected a long journey through the Canadian criminal justice system. But part way through, just days before a scheduled pretrial conference, the accused died in custody.

There would be no trial. No opportunity for Reid’s family and friends to deliver victim impact statements. And no courtroom where the evidence surrounding Reid’s death would finally become clear.

Lisa shares what happened next as her family tried to obtain answers—including a ten-month wait for the fruits of a freedom of information request.

But why go to through all of that? Knowing what happened can’t bring Reid back. To explain, we talk about why those answers matter, why the official process impacts very real parts of the aftermath, and how the only official indication Lisa has received identifying drugs or alcohol as a factor is a notation in the police report stating “drugs/alcohol involved: yes.”

But this episode is also about what cannot be redacted: Reid’s life and the impact he continues to have.

Lisa shares the remarkable ways Reid’s family, friends and communities honour him, from memorial soccer and golf tournaments and scholarships to RD13 appearing on soccer jerseys and a travelling memorial card that accompanies friends and family around the world.


We also discuss Lisa’s growing involvement with MADD Canada, her work to re-establish the MADD Kamloops chapter, and why advocacy has become another way of honouring Reid. Because remembering who Reid was matters, but so does telling the truth about why he is no longer here.

This is a conversation about grief, remembrance, impaired driving, victims’ rights, unanswered questions, the Canadian justice system, and the determination of one family to keep saying Reid’s name.

Reid was doing nothing wrong.

He should still be here.