The community continues to mourn following the deaths of three young adults in Wallaceburg over the long weekend.
Chatham-Kent Police say three Wallaceburg residents, 24-year-old Victoria Baertsoen, 24-year-old Matthew Cousins, and 23-year-old Shae-Lynn Bachus, were pronounced dead at the scene after their vehicle collided with a semi-tanker truck at McNaughton Avenue and Wallace Street Sunday night.
Another passenger in the vehicle, 22-year-old Selena Bushey of Wallaceburg, was rushed to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police said on Tuesday that she is recovering.
A fifth occupant, 25-year-old Mackenzie Vandroffelaar of Dover Township, suffered life-threatening injuries. She remains in hospital in serious but stable condition.
The driver of the transport suffered minor injuries and was treated in hospital.
An online fundraiser has been set up to collect donations, which will then be divided equally between the five affected families.
CLICK HERE to donate.
Less than 24 hours after being launched, the GoFundMe campaign, organized by Haley Gagnier, Jordan Aarssen, and Michelle Persyn, close friends of the Baertsoen family, had raised over $27,000, far exceeding the original target of $3000.
Municipal officials say flags at the Wallaceburg Municipal Centre will be flown at half-mast throughout the week in honour of those killed and injured in the crash. A moment of silence will also be observed during next Monday’s council meeting.
