On Saturday, families of victims, community members, police officers, and survivors of impaired driving came together in Brampton for a ceremony that honored 11 new names added to an Ontario memorial for those lost in crashes involving alcohol and drugs.
Jade Galve, who lost her three children in an impaired driving incident on Highway 401 in May 2025, was present at the event. Ramone, 15, Jace, 13, and six-year-old Mya Laviña were among the newly engraved names on the memorial.
“Don’t ever drink and drive,” she told CBC Toronto. “One decision can change someone’s life forever.”
The three children were with Galve, another sibling, and a family friend in a van that was stopped at a red light just after midnight in Etobicoke when a man coming off Highway 401 lost control of his vehicle and crashed into them after crossing a raised median.
This annual memorial organized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) brings together friends and family members of victims to gather at the monument located in Chinguacousy Park.
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Built in 2023, the monument is now engraved with the names of 175 people. (Brice Petitfils/CBC)
Constructed in 2023, this monument now has the names of 175 individuals inscribed on it.
According to MADD’s CEO Steve Sullivan, events like Saturday’s offer support to victim families while ensuring their loved ones are remembered.
“One of the things that people tell us is that the death was so preventable and so senseless,” he said to CBC Toronto. “They don’t want their loved one to be forgotten or for their death to be meaningless in terms of trying to change public policy.”
Sullivan emphasized that there should be more visible police presence along with regular breathalyzer checks and increased public awareness about how drugs affect drivers.
“People understand alcohol, but there’s still a segment that doesn’t understand the connection with drugs,” he mentioned. “We need more resources for police to make traffic safety a priority.”
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Ontario Provincial Police Insp. Steve Heinz urged drivers not to operate a motor vehicle impaired, whether that’s by drugs or alcohol, and to always call 911 if you suspect someone might be driving under the influence. (Brice Petitfils/CBC)
Ontario Provincial Police Insp. Steve Heinz stated during Saturday’s event that OPP conducted nearly 34,000 Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere initiatives across Ontario between January and July. He also noted over 6,000 impaired driving charges have been laid this year alone.
“It’s really impactful for us to see the victims and their families,” he said. “We have dedicated resources out there trying to enforce impaired driving everywhere.”
Heinz encouraged everyone not to drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol and reminded people to call 911 if they suspect someone might be driving under such conditions.
A post from Peel Regional Police on social media platform X highlighted that every incident related to impaired driving leaves lasting effects.
“Peel Police remains committed to keeping our roads safe,” they said. “Don’t take the risk. Plan ahead, make safe choices, and always drive sober.”
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