A photo taken of the shrine at the home where Allan Andres lived with his wife and two daughters. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

‘We are just looking for justice’: Prince Albert family speaks out on young father’s death

Jun 8, 2022 | 5:00 PM

Editor’s note: story was amended at 6:57p.m. on June 8th to correct the date of Allan’s death to May 26.

Tears stream down Mary Rose Garcia’s face as she sits on her couch and explains the impact of losing her husband.

On the afternoon of May 18, 31-year-old Allan Andres was struck and killed by a vehicle outside the Arby’s restaurant where he worked as an assistant manager. He passed away in hospital eight days later.

“I don’t know even where to start and I don’t know how to explain it to my kids,” Garcia said.

The man behind the wheel, 22-year-old Rajdeepsinh Bihola, is currently facing a charge of second degree murder in connection to the incident. The circumstances cannot be discussed at this time due to a publication ban, but police have previously confirmed some sort of altercation took place between the victim and the accused.

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Garcia, who worked with her husband at the restaurant, confirmed she and her husband had prior interactions with Bihola, as Bihola was working as a delivery driver and had been at the restaurant on the day of the incident to pick up an order. Garcia was tending to a customer while Allan stepped outside. When he didn’t return, Garcia went looking for him.

“When I got out of the building I just saw him lying on the floor,” Garcia said.

On Tuesday, Bihola was granted bail at Prince Albert Court of Queen’s Bench. The evidence presented and details of the release conditions cannot be discussed due to a publication ban.

The hearing was the second of its kind in two weeks as Bihola had initially been charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon and granted bail on May 26. However, when Andres died that same day, Bihola was re-arrested on the more serious charge.

A photo of a happy family hangs in the living room. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Gerald Andres came from Edmonton to support his sister-in-law and two young nieces. He told paNOW the family is feeling very frustrated as they’ve had no contact with the Crown regarding the case and did not know about the hearing on Tuesday.

“We are just looking for justice. If this is how the justice system works in Prince Albert, I think there would be a lot more families in the same situation,” he said.

Allan Andres leaves behind two young daughters, ages seven and 11. When asked how they are coping, Gerald said having their cousins around helps, but added the night time is the hardest.

“The oldest daughter that’s when she cries the most. And the little one never lets go of her dad’s blanket,” Gerald explained.

Gerald also confirmed his brother was the youngest of seven siblings and worked hard to provide for his family.

Recalling a conversation he had with his brother the day prior to the incident, Gerald said Allan was very excited for the family’s first summer in their new home. The brothers were also celebrating the recent news that their parents had cleared a major hurdle and were one step closer to moving to Canada.

“He was so happy,” Gerald said.

An online fundraiser for the family, to assist with funeral expenses, has to date raised over $10,000.

Gerald confirmed his brother had been cremated and the family hopes to have the ashes returned to the Philippines. However the combination of international processes and costs has delayed plans.

Meanwhile, Bihola’s case is back in court on June 15. It’s unclear if Bihola will appear at that time.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell