Accused in P.E.I. court over Alberta cyclist's death

The driver accused of hitting and killing an Alberta cyclist last week made his first appearance in Charlottetown Provincial Court Monday.

Clarence Arnold Moase, 49, of Kensington is charged with impaired driving causing death.

Police say 63-year-old Elizabeth Ann Sovis, of Edmonton, was cycling along Rennies Road north of Hunter River with her husband when a van hit her from behind July 14.

On Monday Moase agreed to stay in custody until his next court date Aug. 6.

At a memorial held for Sovis Saturday, Edmund Aunger said his wife was passionate about the outdoors and cycling.

Meanwhile, local RCMP say drinking and driving is on the rise on P.E.I.

They say, of the 17 fatal collisions on Island roads last year, more than half involved an impaired driver.

RCMP are stepping up enforcement, but they're also asking anyone who encounters a drunk driver, or believes one may get behind the wheel, to call their police detachment or 911.