5 brothers orphaned by crash struggle year later

Five Winnipeg brothers whose parents were killed in a Saskatchewan highway crash one year ago are struggling to stay together as a family as they continue to cope with the tragedy.

Marcel and Brenda Dubois, both 38, died on Nov. 21, 2010, after their minivan was struck head-on by a car about one kilometre east of Saltcoats, Sask., on the Yellowhead Highway.

Four of their sons Jarret, Matthew, Michael and Dustin were in the minivan at the time of the crash. The family was driving back to Winnipeg from Yorkton, Sask., where the boys won eight gold and silver medals in a taekwondo tournament. Eldest son Jordan had stayed in Winnipeg.

The 17-year-old Yorkton girl driving the car that struck the minivan was also killed. The crash occurred when she attempted to pass another vehicle, RCMP said at the time.

Jarret Dubois was so severely injured that he was in hospital for about 10 months. He was released just a few weeks ago.

"I remember waking up in the back seat, my brothers telling me,'Come on, let's go, we got to get out of here,' and I told them I can't feel my legs," Dubois, now 15, recalled in an interview with CBC News.

Paralyzed from waist down

Later in hospital, "I kept asking where my mom and dad were. They said they passed away," Dubois said. "And every time I fell asleep, I forgot."

The teen's spinal cord was severed in the crash, and he's now paralyzed from the waist down.

Jarret has also lost his pancreas, and his spleen and kidneys no longer work, so he must undergo dialysis three times a week.

When asked how he kept his spirits up, Jarret replied, "I honestly don't know. It was hard."

Hewears a gold cross with his parents' names inscribed on it around his neck. He also wears his mother's wedding band.

"I never take it off," he said.

Jarret's brother, Matthew, 13 at the time of the crash, sustained a brain injury. Michael and Dustin, were 16 and nine at the time of the crash.

No will left behind

In the days after the accident, many Winnipeggers donated to a trust fund for the Dubois boys. That money is helping to support them for now, said Karen Matthews, the boys' grandmother.

But Matthews said the past year has been difficult, in part because Marcel and Brenda Dubois did not leave behind a will.

"We have access to the trust fund, and that's the only money we have right now," she said.

"It's been a long haul. We've been getting access to some monies from the estate, and nothing is settled yet. Absolutely nothing."

The eldest Dubois son, Jordan, had vowedto continue running Dubois Delivery Service, his father's courier and messenger business, while keeping his brothers together.

But despite best efforts from Jordan, now 20, the business had to close and the brothers have been split up into three different family homes.

Jarret Dubois lives with an uncle and aunt due to his various medical conditions, while Matthew and Dustin live with Matthews. Jordan and Michael Dubois live in their family home.

Still, Jarret Dubois said the brothers are even closer than ever now, as they know their parents are watching over them.