A memorial stone and oak timber have been shielded from excavation alongside the hall the place the two-lane freeway is increasing to 4 in Kingsville.
Two oak timber have been planted and a monument put in on the foot of Cameron Facet Highway, in reminiscence of two younger males who died in a collision on Freeway 3 in October 1990.
“It’s been 34 years. I still think about that day,” Steve Cowell informed Ontario Chronicle.
His associates, Shane O’Brien and Peter Taves, each 20, died when their automotive collided with a transport truck.
“They were going to the University of Windsor because they were commuting from home every day,” Cowell defined.
“A bus pulled out in front of them. So, they decided they were going to swerve around the bus to miss it. And of course, there was a transport truck in the other lane.”
Cowell described them as “the best of friends” from a robust and devoted Christian household.
Peter Taves (left), 20, and his good friend Shane O’Brien (proper), additionally 20, have been each killed in a automotive accident on Freeway 3 on Oct. 15, 1990. (Picture courtesy: Steve Cowell)
“Everybody that knew them, loved them. So that made it even worse for everyone else,” stated Cowell.
Inside a yr a call was made to plant the timber and place the memorial alongside the south aspect of the freeway.
“That’s never been allowed around here to do that. So, we got lucky that they allowed us to plant those trees there,” stated Cowell.
The monument can be important, in response to Cowell.
“The plaque is put on the stone that actually came from Shane O’Brien’s father’s farm,” he stated.
This monument was positioned alongside Freeway 3 in 1991 in reminiscence of two younger males killed the yr earlier than.(Picture courtesy: Steve Cowell)
Fears of enlargement
When the freeway enlargement progressed into Kingsville, Cowell stated they reached out to the province to request the memorial be preserved.
“We wanted to make sure that those trees were going to be preserved,” stated Cowell.
Ontario agreed.
In an announcement to Ontario Chronicle, the Ministry of Transportation confirmed:
“The Ministry recognizes the significance and meaning of the memorial and have instructed the contractor to protect it during construction.”
The contractor, GIP Hwy 3, referred a request for an interview to the MTO, who’s spokesperson declined an interview.
A heavy development plow clears dust within the enlargement of Freeway 3 in Kingsville, Ont. on Nov. 13, 2024. (Michelle Maluske/ Ontario Chronicle Windsor)
The timber and monument are protected by orange snow fencing, and landscaping on the south aspect of the freeway behind it’s full.
All alongside the enlargement hall, nonetheless, dozens of timber have been minimize down and your complete enlargement space has been excavated to make approach for the highway, shoulders and freeway drainage.
“They haven’t touched the trees yet, so that’s good,” stated Cowell.
Yearly bursary given out
The roadside memorial isn’t the one approach O’Brien and Taves are remembered.
Inside a yr of their deaths, Cowell stated their good friend group received collectively and launched a bursary for graduating college students from Kingsville District Excessive Faculty, now referred to as Erie Migration District Faculty.
“We have the students submit essays on friendship and give a $2,000 award to scholarships,” stated Cowell.
“We’ve done that for 34 years now, so it’s helped a lot of students.”
