Flags will be lowered at the municipal building in Wallaceburg to mourn and remember three young lives lost in a fatal crash in Wallaceburg this long weekend.
Flags will be flown at half-staff at the Wallaceburg Municipal Centre from Tuesday throughout the weekend in honour of the three Wallaceburg victims, who were all in their 20s.
There will also be a moment of silence at Monday night's council meeting to recognize the lives of the young victims.
Municipal officials said our community suffered a great loss on Sunday.
“This is heart-breaking news. As a community we sit in shock and grief thinking of the families, friends and CK staff who are suffering an unthinkable loss," said Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff. "Our thoughts also extend to the driver of the tanker truck as well as our first responders who attended at the scene and provided exemplary service.”
Several businesses across Chatham-Kent have also changed their social media profile pictures to a plain black square out of respect for the victims.
Funeral details are not known at this time, according to the municipality.
Police previously said the car was travelling along Wallace Street, and when it entered onto McNaughton Avenue on Sunday just before 10 p.m., collided with a tractor trailer that was heading northbound.
On Tuesday afternoon, Chatham-Kent police named the victims and sent condolences to their families.
Victoria Baertsoen, 24, Matthew Cousins, 24, and Shae-Lynn Bachus, 23, all of Wallaceburg, were killed.
Mackenzie Vandroffelaar, 25, from Dover Township, was taken to a London hospital in critical condition and is now in stable but serious condition.
Selena Bushey, 22, from Wallaceburg, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and is beginning her recovery.
The driver of the tractor trailer also suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance by ambulance.
If anyone has information about the incident please contact Chatham-Kent police Constable Josh Flikweert at joshuaf@chatham-kent.ca or 519-359-9204.
A GoFundMe page has also been set up to help reduce some of the stress and financial burden the families are currently facing. Organizer Michelle Persyn said the funds raised will be equally divided between all five families.
Wallaceburg Councillor Aaron Hall is also sending thoughts, prayers and strength to the friends and family of the three young people lost in Wallaceburg and to everyone in the community at large that is hurting from this "terrible tragedy."
Councillor Hall is urging anyone needing support to contact Victim Services of Chatham-Kent at 519-436-6630 or info@ckvictimservices.com.
