Marshfield crash victims remembered by family and friends
Stephen Brun, Cody MacKay | CBC News | Posted: December 12, 2023 4:06 PM | Last Updated: December 12
'Sometimes there's not much to say. But it's important to be there,' says youth group leader
As Islanders continue to cope with a tragic crash in Marshfield last week, friends and family are sharing details about the four people who died in the collision.
Three of the deceased, as well as one person who is still in hospital, were in the same car on their way to a youth group meeting in Charlottetown when a pickup truck hit their car head-on.
The fourth victim was a passenger in the truck.
The three youths who died in the crash are remembered as loving and caring by their families and friends.
Two brothers — Elijah Stewart, 12, and Isaiah Chaisson Makuza, 17 — were from Forest Hill, P.E.I. A third brother, 15-year-old Micah Stewart, was seriously injured in the crash and is recovering in a Halifax hospital.
The third youth who died was Laura Esther Vanderweerd, 18, from Green Meadows.
"Elijah will be remembered as a quiet, loving boy with a deep, big heart and a lovely winning smile," his obituary on the North Shore Funeral Home website reads. "He loved animals, hanging out with his friends, especially Ben Ross, and giving his mom lots of hugs."
"Isaiah will be remembered as Mom's right-hand-man, a great listener and a caring friend," Isaiah's obituary reads. "Quick-witted, he was a gifted writer and he loved philosophy."
Celebrations of life for Elijah Stewart and Isaiah Chaisson Makuza are expected to take place at a later date.
A memorial for Laura Vanderweerd is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 16, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Charlottetown Bible Chapel.
"All are welcome to attend a memorial gathering to share your memories of Laura," the obituary reads.
People liked to be around them and liked to have them here. We loved the time we had with them.
— Travis DeVries, youth group leader
Faith played a large part in the lives of all three.
The trio attended a youth group at the Charlottetown Bible Chapel — they were on their way to the weekly meeting Friday evening when the collision occurred.
Travis DeVries, a youth leader at the chapel, remembered them as fun and likable.
"They were just so easy to talk to, so that's what we remember about them. And just the joy, and joy they had with their friends," he said. "People liked them, people liked to be around them and liked to have them here. We loved the time we had with them."
DeVries said much of the focus in the coming days will be on helping the youth group members cope with such a tragedy.
"They're just teenagers, so it's hard to get their heads around this. So, sometimes there's not much to say. But it's important to be there and we're trying to do that as youth leaders," he said.
DeVries said church members are also praying for 15-year-old Micah Stewart in hospital in Halifax, who he said still has a long road to recovery.
"We're praying for him, and his mom over there," said DeVries. "I can't imagine that."
"We're praying for him, and his mom over there," said DeVries. "I can't imagine that."
4 deaths total from Marshfield crash
The fourth victim of Friday's crash in Marshfield was a 30-year-old man from Queens County.
Daniel Bambrick was a passenger in a pickup truck that crossed the centre line and collided head-on with the car containing the youths.
His cousin has set up an online fundraiser for his family.
"He was a stepfather and father to two beautiful young girls, Neve and Quinn, and he had just started his own carpentry business in the fall of this year. Daniel was a 'do-it-all guy' he could fix anything and work on something with a motor for days," reads the fundraiser.
Bambrick lost his 18-year-old brother Kyle in 2009.
"I know Kyle welcomed him with open arms this weekend and they are finally getting to reunite," the online fundraiser reads.
"I know Kyle welcomed him with open arms this weekend and they are finally getting to reunite," the online fundraiser reads.
Police say they will be charging the driver of the truck — a 20-year-old man from York — with dangerous driving causing death and impaired driving causing death, once they've gathered all their evidence.