The families and friends of three Ontario teenagers who died in a deadly weekend car accident are struggling to cope with their devastating loss.
Brody Ferenczi, the driver of the vehicle, and Bradley Brooks both died at the scene of the single-vehicle crash that occurred shortly after 7 p.m. Saturday, on 2nd Line in the township of Amaranth, near Orangeville.
They were both 17 years old.
Another passenger, 14-year-old Melanie Olien, was taken off life support Sunday at Sick Kids Hospital. The vehicle's fourth passenger remains in hospital with serious injuries.
A makeshift memorial featuring flowers and a small cross has been erected at the scene of the crash. At the spot where the vehicle left the road and smashed into a tree, Faerenczi's mother, Jill, described her son.
“He had lots of heart and a great spirit,” she said. “Lots of energy and this if far too young.”
Olien’s father was at a loss for words as he tried to describe his grief to CTV Toronto.
“All plans and thoughts and things you could imagine for your child being taken away,” said Daniel Olien, overwhelmed with tears.
Olien said he’d remember many things about his young daughter, who dreamed of moving to downtown Toronto one day. “Getting to the fair, going on the rides and dad screaming like a little girl. And winning stuffies and things for her like that,” he said.
Residents were also in shock following the accident.
“It’s pretty sad when you’ve got families at home of your own. You think of the families,” said resident Krista Johnson.
Traffic Collision investigators from the Ontario Provincial Police are probing the cause of the crash. So far, they have indicated alcohol was not a factor, and have noted that visibility was limited at the time.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Dufferin OPP Detachment Commander at 519-925-3838.
