Mother of young man killed in Barrie, Ont. crash with 5 others seeks answers
More than four days after six young adults were reported missing, the investigation continued at the scene of the deadly crash that claimed their lives in a Barrie, Ont. construction zone.
With investigators tight-lipped, the families and friends of the victims struggle for an explanation of what has been their worst nightmare.
"I need answers," said Natalie Hawes at the site of the deadly crash. "It just doesn't make sense why they were down here in the first place."
Hawes' son River Wells, 21, was among those killed after the car they were in is believed to have crashed into a concrete pit along McKay Road in the city's south end.
On Wednesday, Barrie police investigators rappeled into the large, deep hole in the centre of the two-lane street between County Road 27 and Veterans Drive, searching for evidence.
Investigators at the site of a deadly crash in a construction site along McKay Road in Barrie, Ont. on Wed., Aug. 31, 2022. (CTV News)
- RELATED: Deadly Barrie, Ont. crash investigation will take time: police
- Friends and family identify all six people killed in Barrie crash
- 6 people reported missing believed to be victims of fatal crash in Barrie
Wells, Curtis King, 22, and Luke West, 22, worked in construction.
"He was working for the union," his mother said through tears. "He bought his first car. He got it three days before this happened."
"He was an amazing guy," Hawes added. "He never let anyone down."
Friends who saw the group on Friday night and early Saturday morning said they planned to visit the nearby Innisfil casino before they lost contact with them.
Jersey Mitchell, 20, Haley Marin, 21, and Jason Ono-O'Connor, 23, were also inside the vehicle at the time of the crash.
A memorial grows at the site of a crash that claimed six young lives in Barrie, Ont. (CTV News/Mike Arsalides)
According to the City of Barrie, McKay Road is under construction, with new sanitary sewer and water main installations.
CTV News reached out to the contractor, Condrain Group, which declined to comment due to the ongoing investigation.
How and why the crash happened remains a mystery as police continue to search for answers.
"It's just so hard. I don't know what to do or say anymore. I'm still in shock." Hawes said. "I just want to hold him one more time, and I can't do that."
A GoFundMe campaign initiated by Ripple of Kindness Barrie has raised nearly $70,000 since it was created on Monday to support the families of the six victims.
With files from CTV's Mike Arsalides
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's 'most wanted terrorist' arrested on gun charges in Canada
One of India's most wanted terrorists has been arrested and charged in connection with a recent alleged shooting in Ontario.
12-year-old boy charged in stabbing of 11-year-old boy at Edmonton McDonald's
The boy stabbed at a north Edmonton McDonald's last Friday is 11 years old.
What makes walking so great for your health and what else you need to do
Medical experts agree that walking is an easy way to improve physical and mental health, bolster fitness and prevent disease. While it’s not the only sort of exercise people should do, it’s a great first step toward a healthy life.
U.S. Congress hosts second round of UFO hearings
The U.S. government held another UFO hearing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, the second such hearing in 16 months. This hearing was billed as an attempt by congress to provide a better understanding of what is known about previous sightings of UFOs, also known as UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena).
Toronto teenager charged with first-degree murder in Kitchener, Ont. homicide
A Toronto teen has been charged as part of an investigation into Kitchener, Ont.’s first homicide of 2024.
Spy service officer denies threatening Montreal man who was later imprisoned in Sudan
A Canadian Security Intelligence Service official has denied threatening a Montreal man who was later imprisoned and allegedly tortured by authorities in Sudan.
Donald Trump picks Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz to serve as attorney general
President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday said he will nominate Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to serve as his attorney general, putting a loyalist in the role of the nation's top prosecutor.
This Canadian airline will adopt Apple's new AirTag feature to help recover lost baggage. Here's how
Apple announced that a new feature, 'Share Item Location,' will help users locate and recover misplaced items by sharing an AirTag location with third parties including airlines.
Canada bracing for 'tough' talks as Trump's pick calls northern border an 'extreme vulnerability'
The Canadian government is aware it's likely in for 'tough conversations' with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's administration, after his border czar said there is 'an extreme national security vulnerability' he intends to tackle at the Canada-U.S. border.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Kitchener
-
Take a look inside Amazon’s new fulfillment centre in Cambridge, Ont.
Amazon says its new fulfillment centre in Cambridge, Ont. is the first-of-its-kind in the country.
-
Toronto teenager charged with first-degree murder in Kitchener, Ont. homicide
A Toronto teen has been charged as part of an investigation into Kitchener, Ont.’s first homicide of 2024.
-
Kitchener, Ont. woman with incurable cancer dies, fight continues to get provincial funding for expensive drug treatment
The family of a young Kitchener woman, who died Sunday from a rare bile duct cancer, is promising her quest to get provincial funding for a drug that helped extend her life will continue.
London
-
Jury hears police interview with co-accused recorded days after fatal bush party shooting
Testimony at a London courthouse continued Wednesday, as London Police Detective Jim MacLachlan took the stand in the seventeenth day of evidence in the case of the murder of Josue Silva.
-
Marion Simpson, mother, educator and athlete, passes away
CTV News brought you a story in October about Simpson, a former teacher at Ryerson Public School in London, reuniting with former student and Hollywood legend Victor Garber, at his Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony.
-
Winter park maintenance, donated LAV, and funding shelter beds among council proposals for 2025 Budget
There will be new choices for city council to consider when the 2025 Municipal Budget Update is debated next week at city hall.
Windsor
-
Body recovered from Detroit River
The LaSalle Police Service has recovered a body from the Detroit River.
-
Is a federal cap on international students bringing relief to Windsor's rental market?
It's been nearly a year since the federal government announced caps on international student permits and a real estate broker and landlord in Windsor said he's seen slight improvements in his ability to match people in need of housing with rental units.
-
Windsor businesses see boost in alcohol sales following province-wide expansion
Convenience stores in Windsor are racking up business more than two months after alcohol sales expanded across Ontario.
Northern Ontario
-
Northern Ontario couple charged in their baby girl's 2022 death
A northern Ontario couple has been charged in the death of their three-month-old baby girl who was found in September 2022 with no vital signs.
-
'Your body, my choice': Attacks on women surge on social media following U.S. election
Sexist and abusive attacks on women, like 'your body, my choice' and 'get back to the kitchen,' have surged across social media since Trump’s reelection.
-
Sudbury firefighters rescue person trapped in school elevator
Sudbury firefighters had to use special equipment to extricate a person trapped inside a local school's elevator on Monday.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
Victim threatened with a machete as suspects stole from Sault, Ont., business
A victim who tried to intervene as two people stole items from a Sault business Tuesday was threatened with a machete.
-
Northern Ontario couple charged in their baby girl's 2022 death
A northern Ontario couple has been charged in the death of their three-month-old baby girl who was found in September 2022 with no vital signs.
-
Injured hiker from southern Ont. rescued from Killarney Provincial Park by helicopter
An experienced winter hiker and their dog were rescued over the weekend by helicopter in northeastern Ontario after being reported missing from Killarney Provincial Park, police say.
Ottawa
-
OC Transpo scrapping youth discount fares, increasing seniors passes 120% in 2025 budget
OC Transpo is ending the free ride for 11 and 12-year-olds and will be charging youth and seniors more to board the bus and the O-Train in 2025, as part of a five-per-cent hike in the 2025 City of Ottawa budget.
-
Ottawa taxpayers facing 3.9% tax hike, 5% hike in transit fares in 2025 budget
Ottawa residents are facing a 3.9 per cent property tax increase and a 5 per cent hike in transit fares, as the city of Ottawa "uses a lot of duct tape" to fill a $120 million hole in the 2025 OC Transpo budget.
-
9 things that will cost you more in the 2025 City of Ottawa budget
Ottawa residents will be paying more to board the bus, have the garbage picked up, park on city streets and use recreation facilities in 2025. The 2025 City of Ottawa draft budget includes a 3.9 per cent property tax hike for most homeowners in 2025.
Toronto
-
Removing bike lanes on major Toronto streets would cost at least $48 million: city staff
Removing bike lanes on sections of Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue could cost taxpayers at least $48 million.
-
Hamilton police chief releases statement following fatal police-involved shooting, promises 'lines of communication' will remain open
Hamilton’s police chief is looking to set the record straight on several “factual inaccuracies” that he says have been circulating regarding the fatal police-involved shooting of a 43-year-old father of three in the city over the weekend.
-
Police associations call for 'immediate action' on bail reform after Toronto gunfight
Three police associations are calling on the federal government to take “immediate action “on bail reform after officers performing a bail compliance check in Toronto’s west end found themselves in the middle of a gun fight between two groups.
Montreal
-
Montreal man pricked by dirty needle picking up his keys
A Montreal man was pricked by a dirty needle while picking up his keys that had fallen in a pile of leaves.
-
Quebec online ticket reseller sent 26 fines for allegedly hiking prices
Quebec’s crown prosecutors sent online ticket reseller Billets.ca more than two dozen fines for selling concert tickets at a higher price than the seller authorized.
-
Veteran's health transformed by groundbreaking surgery to repair narrowed windpipe
As a military veteran, Lisa Cyr has fought many battles, but one of the hardest has been with her health. A 3D-printed stent has now helped her turn a page in her life.
Atlantic
-
Beetles from B.C. settling in Nova Scotia, taking up the fight to rescue hemlocks
The offspring of beetles imported from British Columbia are ready to take up the fight against an invasive insect that is killing hemlock trees in Nova Scotia.
-
'I can only turn the thermostat down so low': NB Power customers wait for finer details of incoming rate hike
NB Power says customers should have a better idea soon about how much more they’ll be paying on utility bills, following last week’s approval of a nearly 20 per cent increase over two years.
-
Health PEI records blown away by strong winds
Health PEI says strong winds are responsible for the disappearance of a “small amount” of paper records.
Winnipeg
-
'It's great to be a fan in Manitoba': Bombers, Jets success creating excitement throughout Winnipeg
Excitement can be felt throughout Winnipeg these days as both the Winnipeg Jets and Winnipeg Blue Bombers have been dominating.
-
'Huge': Bruce Springsteen's first-ever Winnipeg performance set for tonight
A rock legend is set to hit the stage for his first-ever Winnipeg concert on Wednesday night.
-
Manitoba premier shuffles cabinet, creates technology portfolio
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has shuffled his cabinet, adding three fresh faces and creating an Innovation and New Technology department.
Calgary
-
RCMP called for urgent action weeks before carbon tax protest fizzled: internal emails
Emails obtained by CTV News show RCMP in Cochrane calling for action and urgent meetings with Alberta's transportation ministry over a months-long carbon tax protest along the Trans-Canada Highway west of Calgary.
-
Conservationists call for greater transparency, systemic review of Calgary Zoo
The sudden death of a two-year-old gorilla at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has prompted some conservation experts to push for change.
-
Car dealership purchases southern Alberta airport to maximize high-performance vehicle speeds
Mercedes-Benz in downtown Calgary has purchased a 160-acre property near Cayley, Alta., to race their luxury vehicles and give customers the full experience.
Edmonton
-
'It was total betrayal': Leduc woman finds herself in trouble with law after falling for romance scam
After losing her husband of 30 years to cancer, a man she'd been with since high school, a Leduc-area woman found herself lonely and vulnerable.
-
12-year-old boy charged in stabbing of 11-year-old boy at Edmonton McDonald's
The boy stabbed at a north Edmonton McDonald's last Friday is 11 years old.
-
Police seeking good samaritan from hit-and-run in southeast Edmonton
Police are looking for someone who witnessed a hit-and-run in southeast Edmonton Wednesday morning.
Regina
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Chad Bachynski defeats Sandra Masters to become mayor of Regina
Chad Bachynski will be Regina's next mayor, after defeating incumbent Sandra Masters, who was vying for a second term.
-
Here's a live look at civic election results for Regina and across southern Sask.
CTV News Regina will be airing special coverage of Regina’s municipal election on Wednesday evening beginning at 9:30 p.m.
-
LIVE UPDATES
LIVE UPDATES Here's a look at Regina's projected new city council as results come in
Regina's projected new city council will consist of at least six new members with more than a handful of outgoing councillors not seeking re-election Wednesday night.
Saskatoon
-
A look at the Saskatoon election results as they come in
CTV Saskatoon is live blogging the civic election results as they come in.
-
Prince Albert elects new mayor after 12 years under Greg Dionne
After 12 years under Greg Dionne, the City of Prince Albert has a new mayor.
-
Assault charge against former Sask. private school employee dropped
A private school employee accused of hitting a seven-year-old student in the head with a relay baton had her assault charge dropped on Wednesday in Saskatoon provincial court.
Vancouver
-
2 B.C. Realtors fined $100K apiece for failing to disclose information to clients
Two B.C. real estate agents have been fined a combined total of more than $200,000 for professional misconduct they committed during the sale of a waterfront property on the Sunshine Coast in 2017.
-
B.C. midwives' college issues warnings about 4 unregistered women
The B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives has issued nearly identical warnings about four women, each of whom it says "may be offering midwifery services" without being permitted to do so.
-
Unanimous support from Vancouver councillors to create earthquake risk mitigation strategy
A report presented to city councillors Tuesday details how destructive a mega earthquake could be for Vancouver.
Vancouver Island
-
Push to name new university in Langford, B.C., after John Horgan
A push is on to permanently memorialize B.C.'s former premier, the man known to many as 'John from Langford,' in the Vancouver Island city.
-
B.C. ports to resume operations Thursday
The federal government has ordered operations at B.C.'s ports to resume Thursday, according to the B.C. Maritime Employers Association.
-
Testing confirms B.C. teen infected with Canada's first human case of avian flu
Federal health officials have confirmed that a B.C. teen who is currently in hospital has Canada's first human case of H5N1 avian flu.
