January 21, 2013 (Sainte-Perpétue, QC) – Despite the cold and blowing snow, this past Sunday saw hundreds join in a commemorative run in the tiny village of Sainte-Perpétue to honour the memory of Pierrik Houle, the younger brother of Hugo Houle (AG2R La Mondiale), who was struck and killed by hit-and-run driver while he was jogging on a country road on December 21.

“With my new t-shirt in honour of my brother, Pierrik Houle!” reads a photo caption on Hugo Houle’s Facebook page. “Thanks to Signé François Roy for the mounting of the t-shirts and the posters for the run in honour of Pierrik on January 20 in Ste-Perpétue! I will win races for you, Rick, in 2013!

The runners began their circuit beside the spot where Pierrik was found in the ditch reports l’Express de Drummondville. They carried a life-size cardboard effigy of Pierrik, 19, who expected to graduate this year from a police academy in Trois-Rivieres. The run also tried to spread awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving.

Guy Richard, 41, was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident and with driving under the influence leading to death. He will appear in the Drummondville courthouse on April 19. Sainte-Perpétue is between Montreal and Quebec City, close to Drummondville.