The family of five siblings who tragically lost their lives in a crash involving a passenger van and an SUV last month in Mapleton Township, southern Ontario, has hired a lawyer to uncover the details surrounding the incident.
The collision took place around 7:30 p. m. ET on June 12 at the intersection of 4th Line and Wellington Road 12.
Out of the ten individuals in the van, eight were part of the Doerksen family. Peter, 12, Helena, 10, Sara, 8, Maggie, 6, and Susy, 4, all died. Their baby brother sustained a broken leg while their parents suffered injuries; Judit was taken to hospital.
A couple named Peter and Elizabeth Bartsch were also traveling in the van. Elizabeth was hospitalized due to her injuries.
A man aged 42 from Brampton was driving the SUV alone and passed away in hospital.
The Doerksen family’s lawyer from Windsor will assist in investigating how this tragic event unfolded.
Law firm’s insights into the incident
Greg Monforton and Partners, Injury Lawyers, stated in a news release on Thursday that they believe “the crash is believed to have occurred when an SUV failed to obey a stop sign and struck the victims’ vehicle.”
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Residents of Elmira, Ont., are still reeling after a two-vehicle accident resulted in five deaths among one family and sent six others to hospitals.
“The scale of this tragedy for the family is truly exceptional. They’re hoping for any information that anyone might have regarding that intersection or about the driver involved,” managing partner Joanna Sweet shared during an interview.
Sweet mentioned that according to the driver of the van, they were hit by the SUV.
“He witnessed the SUV going through the stop sign and striking,” Sweet said. “[The SUV] struck the rear of the vehicle, the van that my clients were driving, which is also, unfortunately, where the five children were seated.”
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have yet to publish their findings regarding what caused this collision.
“The investigation into this collision remains ongoing,” Sgt. Ed Sanchuk noted via email on Thursday.
“As such, we are unable to provide further information at this time. Any information that can be publicly released will be provided as it becomes available.”
The Doerksen siblings killed in the June 12 crash include Peter, 12; Helena, 10; Sara, 8; Maggie, 6; and Susy, 4-left to right (Doerksen family/Mark Jutzi Funeral Homes)
Status update on surviving members
Loved ones gathered for a funeral service on June 20 for all five children at a rural church just outside Elmira.
Nancy Doerksen-the second-oldest daughter-started a Go Fund Me campaign shortly after their loss.
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On June 15th she updated everyone saying her little brother had been released from hospital earlier with his broken leg while her father Cornelius Doerksen Froese was still recovering from injuries at home.
An update posted on June 30 stated they decided to conclude fundraising efforts and thanked people for their “overwhelming generosity.”
A follow-up message on July 1 indicated both her mother and Elizabeth Bartsch had returned home from hospital but were “still healing.” “We’re very thankful for how far they’ve come,” she said.
Sweeter shared that they’re grateful for all support received during this tough time.
“The family would like to thank first responders and express gratitude toward everyone within the community who supported them throughout these difficult times.”
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