Marshfield crash victims remembered by family and friends - Action News
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PEI

Marshfield crash victims remembered by family and friends

As Islanders continue to cope with a tragic crash in Marshfield last week, friends and family are sharing details aboutthe four people who died in the collision.

'Sometimes there's not much to say. But it's important to be there,' says youth group leader

A collage of four pictures with a teenager walking on a street, a young woman smiling, a boy in formal clothes, and a closeup of a bearded man.
From left to right: Isaiah Amini Chaisson Makuza, Laura Esther Vanderweerd, Elijah Solomon Justice Stewart, Daniel Bambrick. (North Shore Funeral Home/Submitted)

As Islanders continue to cope with a tragic crash in Marshfieldlast week, friends and family are sharing details aboutthe four people who died in the collision.

Three of the deceased, as well as one personwho is still in hospital, were in the same car on their way to a youth group meetingin Charlottetown when a pickup truck hit their car head-on.

The fourth victim was a passenger in the truck.

A sign reading Charlottetown Bible Chapel in front of a building.
Three of the victims involved in last Friday's fatal crash were on their way to attend a weekly youth group at Charlottetown Bible Chapel when the collision occurred. (Steve Bruce/CBC)

The three youths who died in the crash are remembered as loving and caring by their families and friends.

Two brothers Elijah Stewart, 12, andIsaiahChaisson 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 wasLaura 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 andIsaiahChaisson Makuza are expected to take place at a later date.

A memorial for LauraVanderweerd isscheduled forSaturday, Dec.16, from10 a.m. tonoonat 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."

A man in a hoodie stands in a recreation space with his arms folded.
Travis DeVries, a youth leader at the Charlottetown Bible Chapel, remembered the three young victims of Friday's fatal collision in Marshfield as fun and likable. (Steve Bruce/CBC)

DeVries said much of the focus in the coming days will be on helping the youth groupmembers 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 saidstill has a long road to recovery.

"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 Marshfieldwas a30-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 hisfamily.

"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.

A map image of Marshfield, P.E.I.
According to the RCMP, the crash happened on St. Peters Road, about 100 metres east of Linden Road, in Marshfield on Friday, Dec. 8. (CBC)

Bambricklost his 18-year-old brother Kylein 2009.

"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.

With files from Steve Bruce