Nepalese pedestrian killed crossing Adelaide Street remembered for her bright spirit
Isha Bhargava | CBC News | Posted: December 31, 2024 8:58 PM | Last Updated: January 2
Sachina Shrestha, 22, was struck at Huron and Adelaide Streets on Dec. 9
Loved ones and community members are grieving a Nepalese international student who was struck by a vehicle on a north London street earlier this month, and later died.
Sachina Shrestha, 22, was hit crossing at Huron and Adelaide streets around 8 p.m. on Dec. 9. She was rushed to Victoria Hospital in life-threatening condition and died on Dec. 26 as a result of severe brain injuries, her family said.
Her funeral was Tuesday in London where those who had gotten to know her described a young woman with a bright future.
Shrestha came to Canada from Kathmandu, Nepal in 2022 and was one exam away from graduating with a business management diploma from Fanshawe College, her boyfriend Birat Gautam said after the ceremony.
"She was the best person I've ever known, she was innocent and really sweet and caring," said Gautam, who met Shrestha five years ago in Nepal.
Gautam said the two moved to Canada together but because they were studying in different programs, Gautam lived in Hamilton, while Shrestha was in London.
"We met in high school, I studied science and she did business accounting. We just got along so well," said Gautam. "We were planning to move in together but she got into an accident the day before her final exam to graduate."
London police said on Tuesday that its traffic management unit is continuing to investigate the incident. They haven't laid any charges, but said the driver of the vehicle remained on scene.
In a statement, Fanshawe said it was saddened to hear of Shrestha's passing, and its student services team is available to support her classmates and friends.
"Our thoughts go out to her family and friends," the statement read.
Shrestha's parents arrived in London the day before her death "after overcoming significant hurdles in securing a visa from Nepal," read a GoFundMe page aimed at covering funeral and legal expenses.
Bright and full of energy
Ishan Bhattarai became a close friend of Shreshta's when the two worked together at Mykonos Restaurant on Adelaide Street. He said he was in disbelief when he heard she had died.
"I'm also from Nepal, and one day she came by looking for a job [at the restaurant], and she got it because she had people skills and she was good with handling multiple things," said Bhattarai
"She was very bright and full of energy all the time, and she liked to interact with people, so she was the perfect fit for her position. She also created friendships and she was so driven."
He said Shreshta had a keen interest in makeup and fashion and wanted to work at Sephora to learn more and develop her passion.
"I'm very saddened by this news because she was very young, she came here with a dream and now everything is stopped and it's too much for the family to take on," said Januka Thapa, a member of London's Nepalese community, who attended Shreshta's funeral on Tuesday.
Thapa said she didn't know Shrestha or her family personally but felt it was important to support her fellow community members during this difficult time.
"We all are grieving and we are here to support her family members who flew from Nepal. It's so sad," she said. "Whenever these things happen, our community gathers and comes together for each other."
Police are asking drivers who were in the area of Adelaide and Huron streets, between 8 p.m. and 8:15 p.m on Dec. 9, for any dashcam or video footage that could help with the investigation.