The woman killed on a Poway sidewalk Monday was walking to work because she couldn't afford the gas.
Kristen Ann Bedard, 36, died Monday when she was hit by a car traveling along Community Road at Aubrey Street. The car jumped onto the sidewalk and hit Bedard, killing her instantly according to sheriff's deputies.
Bedard, a single mother who lived with her children in a nearby condo, was on her way to work at the time of the accident according to her father Richard Bedard.
Kristen's hours had been cut back and to save money she walked to work even though it took more than an hour to get to the store.
Her children, 14-year old Tyler and 13-year old Kelsey, listened Tuesday as their grandfather spoke about their mother who everyone called Kristie.
Richard Bedard described his daughter as a bubbly personality; a woman who liked to have fun and smile even though her life wasn't easy.
"Her priority in life was her children period. Nothing else mattered," he said. "Her children mattered and the support of her children in any endeavor they chose to do."
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The driver arrested after the accident, 44-year old Becky Anderson, faces vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence charges. Anderson was alone in the car and visibly distraught at the scene of the accident deputies said.
A news crew on the scene of the accident spotted deputies removing items from the car including a pill bottle. Bedard said investigators had told him that Anderson had taken Valium and methadone.
It was not Anderson's first brush with the law, according to officials in Minnesota, who said Anderson was convicted in 1999 of driving while under the influence in that state. Officials said it was a gross misdemeanor case.
"Her time will come in court and she will have to live what she did for the rest of her life, how bad can that be? Except for what we have to live with everyday," said Bedard.
Kristen's family is putting together a memorial college fund for her two children. It's being set up through the US BANK under the name Bedard Family Memorial. Donations can be made at any bank. (Acct #153464906541).
