Classmates remember kindergarten student killed along with mother, grandmother in fiery Hwy. 400 crash
Toronto school identifies kindergarten student killed in weekend crash as Isabela Kuci
A fatal car crash would be tragedy for any family, but for the Vokshi family, a deadly crash on the Highway 400 Friday took the lives of three of its members: kindergarten student Isabela Kuci, her mother Valbona Vokshi, 35, and 55-year-old grandmother Xhemile Vokshi, a press release on behalf of the family's legal team says.
A fourth woman not related to the Vokshi family, 27-year-old Maria Lipska, was also killed in the fiery collision that involved 11 vehicles including multiple transport trucks.
On Tuesday, Isabela's teacher remembered the kindergarten student as a "joyful" little girl who always had a smile on her face. Police originally listed the young victim's age as four years old but Tuesday's release identifying the victims lists her as five.
"Isabela was a joyful person," teacher Sarah Harwood told CBC News. "She was always happy and losing her is a little bit of laughter that's not there any more in our class."
Staff at Princess Margaret Junior School identified their Isabela as one of the victims of the crash in a letter sent out to parents and students Monday. News of the student's death rocked the school's community.
"This has been a sombre day for our school community as we mourn the tragic loss of this young life," school principal Anna Viegandt wrote in the letter sent home to students and their families.
Since hearing the tragic news, Kuci's classmates have written letters of condolence to send to their friend's family.
"The kids are really feeling like they want to express their feelings of sorrow to Isabela's family and they are really missing her," Harwood said.
Grief counsellors have been brought in by the school for students, staff and families to deal with the news.
The Canadian flag at the school is being flown at half-mast after the girl's death.
The school is planning a memorial for Kuci this fall, as the school year ends this week for summer vacation.
"The kids liked playing with her and she was just a fun person to be around, so we miss that," Harwood said.
In an email to CBC News, Toronto's Boulevard Club confirmed Maria Lipska was an employee there.
"It's just a shock to us because she was such a lovely girl, she had the brightest smile ... she had such a bright future ahead of her," marketing director Noni Bruyere said.
Police are still investigating the cause of the crash.
