People in Parry Sound are pulling together tonight in the midst of a tragedy.
One day after two young children died in a horrible crash, a memorial for the boys is building and in some cases, people who don't even know the family are making long drives to the town to remember them.
On the corner where two children lost their lives, that memorial is growing.
Flowers, cards and stuffed toys line the sidewalk where seven-year-old Kaelen Smith and his little brother, 21-month-old Ryder Smith were hit by a truck yesterday morning.
Wendy Williams and her granddaughter Dakota, 12, made a special trip from Newmarket to pay their respects.
“We already had flowers so we just dropped them off and said a prayer,” Williams says. “Just tragic.”
Dakota adds, “They were only kids … It wasn't fair for them to be killed like that – they should have been able to live.”
The 35-year-old mother who lost her children is identified by friends as Jill Smith from nearby Nobel. She remains at the West Parry Sound Health Centre. Although the intersection in downtown Parry Sound is open again today, police say the investigation continues and offer up some new information.
“Mom was walking with baby in her arms, and the other child on her hand,” says OPP Const. Zenobie Loach. “At this point we know the pedestrians were travelling northbound on James Street, crossing Seguin Street. The vehicle was travelling northbound on James Street turning eastbound on Seguin.”
But police will not comment on what happened next. They say charges are pending against the 61-year-old woman who was driving the truck. She is still being treated for shock.
Jennifer Obdam owns a flower shop across the road from where the tragedy happened. She says people have been coming in all day purchasing flowers, cards and toys. Obdam says she has both empathy and sympathy for the mother.
“They lost both their kids - I can't fathom that,” she says. “Unfortunately I buried my son 18 years ago. No parent should have to bury their children.”
Police say they're not sure how long the investigation will continue, or when they'll have more answers. Meanwhile, a community grieves.