Community members are coming together to support the grieving mother of Leandro Santos, the 13-year-old boy struck and killed by a GO train in Mississauga over the March Break.
“No mother should ever have to experience the loss of a child,” Sarah Fernandes, a long-time friend of the teen’s mom told Toronto Monday.
“He was such a kind, loving boy who adored his mother and was always by her side, ready to help. I’m doing my best to support her-being there whenever she needs me, while also giving her and her family the space and time to grieve and process everything.”
Fernandes said the boy’s friends called him Leo, adding that people are writing LLL for “Live Like Leo” on social media, along with a heart and a dove, in his memory.
“This has been incredibly hard on everyone who knew Leo,” she said.
Victim’s uncle A man cries at the makeshift memorial right across where his nephew was struck and killed by a GO train.
As the memorial by the tracks in the Lakeview neighbourhood, near Alexandra Avenue and Fourth Street, grows, a crowdfunding page set up by Fernandes is aiming to help his mother manage funeral expenses, take time to grieve, and access counselling.
Fernandes said she has been friends with Leo’s mom for more than 25 years. She said Santos and his mother lived in Oakville, and he had been staying with his father over the March Break.
GO train fatality Police are on scene after a person was struck and killed by a GO train in Mississauga on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
‘Her son was her whole world’
“As a single mother, she carried the weight of everything on her own-and now, in light of this heartbreaking tragedy, she needs support more than ever,” she wrote on the crowdfunding page, which has garnered more than $22,500 to date. “Her son was her whole world. He was not only a bright light in her life but also a source of love, hope, and purpose. His passing caused by this tragic train accident has left her facing overwhelming grief while also trying to navigate the practical realities that follow such a loss.” Fernandes said Santos’ mother is deeply touched and grateful for the generosity and support from the community during this heartbreaking time. The GO train collision happened on March 18 around 2:45 p. m., on the Lakeshore West line in between Long Branch and Port Credit stations. Const. Tyler Bell of Peel Regional Police stated that both victims were on some type of motorized bike when they crossed onto the train tracks despite barriers being down. The warning signals were operational with lights flashing as well as bells ringing when approaching trains arrived.GO train fatality Police are on scene after a person was struck and killed by a GO train in Mississauga on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
