A Guelph man charged in the hit-and-run death of a cyclist a month ago, and later charged with impaired driving in a separate incident, has been identified.
John Simpson-Bard, who is currently in custody, appeared in bail court at the Ontario Court of Justice in Guelph Thursday in relation to the charges.
The 35-year-old man is not related to the hit-and-run victim, Susan Bard.
She was struck by a Ford sedan in front of St. James high school on Victoria Road on the afternoon of Sept. 5 while riding her bike. Susan died the next day.
Police located the vehicle two-and-a-half hours later and arrested Simpson-Bard.
He was charged with failing to remain at the scene of a collision causing bodily harm. The charge was upgraded to failing to remain at the scene of a collision causing death.
On Sept. 28, just over three weeks later, officers were called to a crash on Bagot Street.
A witness reported a vehicle flipped onto its roof, and that the driver got out and walked away.
Officers were approached by a woman who said she was driving, though officers were told by multiple witnesses it was a male driver.
Police say the woman continued to obstruct the investigation by providing false information, even after the suspected “true driver” was located.
That driver, who police say was Simpson-Bard, was out on an undertaking with the condition he not be in the driver’s seat of any vehicle.
A drug recognition expert determined his ability to operate a vehicle was impaired.
Simpson-Bard was charged with impaired driving, dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of a collision and breaching an undertaking.
The woman, 29, was charged with obstructing police.
Simpson-Bard has a bail hearing scheduled for next Wednesday for each of the charges.
