‘It’s a time for love’: Vigil held in honour boy killed in crash in St. Thomas, Ont – London | 24CA News
Hundreds of crimson balloons line homes throughout St. Thomas, Ont., as residents from throughout the town rallied collectively Monday night time throughout a vigil in reminiscence of Aiden Curtis.
A rising crowd of crimson shirts gathered on the website of the deadly crash at Talbot Street and Caso Crossing round 7:30 p.m., on the night of what would have been Curtis’s twelfth birthday.
“It was a birthday that I didn’t know I was going to be celebrating one week ago, and until last week, none of us thought we’d be celebrating this child’s life together,” stated Karen Vecchio, the member of Parliament for Elgin—Middlesex—London, throughout Monday’s vigil.
“But it’s because of a tragic accident that we’re all here together as a community to support Aiden’s family at a time when they need us most.”
Jennifer Vander-Berghe, the organizer of the vigil, stated that “it was a 24-hour turnaround to bring this event together.”
She informed Global News that to see the group come collectively to supply assist on such quick discover was nothing in need of “amazing.”
“The family needs all the support that they can get during this time, and I am so proud to live in a community that rallied around a family in 24 hours to come out and do a candlelight vigil,” she stated.
The deadly crash occurred on July 4 when an allegedly impaired driver jumped the curb and struck 5 pedestrians. Curtis was pronounced lifeless on the scene.
One lady, recognized as Carol Wilson, stays in hospital in essential situation. Three others had been handled for non-life-threatening accidents.
Within one week, the group band collectively in assist of the households affected, together with the launch of the crimson balloon initiative in honour of Curtis, who’s being remembered as somebody whose smile might mild up a room.
Mayor Joe Preston thanked group members for his or her power and kindness to 1 one other throughout Monday’s vigil.
“Our community has lost a little bit of its heart. But this growth together and the time we’ve had with each other has helped heal it and make it bigger,” he stated. “Our community can only be stronger if we continue to help out each other and help our friends.”
“Thank you, St. Thomas, for showing the ability of this community to come together and be good to each other,” Preston stated.
Resident Tanish Zovko, 23, expressed related sentiments on the steps of the memorial website on the Brunswick Tavern. While additionally celebrating her birthday on Monday, the considered Curtis not having the ability to spend his along with his household was heartbreaking, she stated.
“He should be celebrating and with his loved ones right now, not gone,” she stated.
Aiden Curtis was killed and 4 others had been injured, together with one lady critically, when 5 pedestrians had been struck by a pickup truck that left the roadway and entered a sidewalk on July 4, 2023, in St. Thomas, Ont.
Amy Simon / Global News
“Aiden should be celebrating with family at home, celebrating his culture, and having fun,” added eight-year-old Nala Zovko. “While his life was cut short, I just hope he’s in a better place now.”
They each added that the vigil will probably be a day they are going to always remember, with 11-year-old Makenzie Zovko pointing to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) ribbons that had been handed out throughout the occasion. “I’ll remember what happened here forever,” she stated.
Following the deadly collision, a 19-year-old man was charged with impaired driving inflicting demise and impaired driving inflicting bodily hurt. During a short courtroom look on July 5, the person was launched on bail with situations.
“Impaired driving is 100 per cent preventable,” stated Laura Thompson, a volunteer with MADD London. “It’s never been easier to plan ahead. And it’s so important because not only can you risk your own life, but you risk the lives of others.”
Thompson informed Global News that she misplaced her mother-in-law because of an impaired driving accident again in September. “It’s an awful thing to lose someone in such a tragic way, especially when they’re so young,” she stated.
But she stated that to see the individuals of St. Thomas come collectively in exhibiting their assist is unimaginable. “While I was driving into St. Thomas, I started seeing the red balloons and it just warmed my heart.”
As for Vecchio, she stated the subsequent few weeks and months are going to be terribly troublesome. “But seeing this community come together and talk, relate, and understand what everybody’s going through is extraordinary.”
“It’s a time for love and it’s definitely a time for love for Aiden’s family,” she stated.
“We all know that we can do better and it’s the work that MADD is doing with all of the families that we have seen lost that we must continue to work to eradicate intoxicated and impaired driving.”
A funeral service for Curtis is scheduled for Tuesday and the household has requested that memorial donations be made to MADD Canada or to the CNIB.
A GoFundMe set as much as assist the household had as of Monday night raised greater than thrice its $10,000 aim.
A GoFundMe has additionally been arrange for Carol Wilson and her household.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
