Support following the tragic death of a 14-year-old in South Stormont

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LONG SAULT – A South Stormont family trying to cope with an unimaginable tragedy continues to receive tremendous support – both financial and emotional – from the local community.

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The Ontario Provincial Police Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Division confirmed in a news release Saturday morning that a 14-year-old girl was killed in a collision between her bicycle and a car in South Stormont Township on Friday afternoon. The collision occurred on County Road 2, west of Long Sault, just before 3:30 p.m.

A hastily arranged campaign on crowdfunding website GiveSendGo with the goal of raising $25,000 quickly far exceeded the goal, reaching over $78,000 in support as of early Monday afternoon. The website is also calling for the spiritual needs of people.

The Supporting the Light Family page has a heartbreaking message that begins: “On August 30, Greg and Ashley’s 14-year-old daughter Charlotte tragically passed away after being hit by a car while riding her bike.

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“She was a beautiful, healthy and vibrant older sister of five siblings. Charlotte was about to start high school and was in Year 9 at St. Joseph's Secondary School in Cornwall. She was an accomplished soccer player and traveled with the Seaway Valley Soccer Club. She was an incredibly gifted and aspiring actress who was an active ensemble member of the Seaway Valley Theatre Company and had just joined the cast of three musicals: Sixth and Broadway, All Shook Up and Finding Nemo, Jr.

“Charlotte was rarely seen without her nose in a book. She was a loyal and outgoing friend to so many young people from Our Lady of Good Council Catholic School in Ingleside. She was an active member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and often read at Mass. Charlotte was absolutely cherished and loved by her entire family, including her grandparents and great-grandparents, her 12 aunts and uncles, and her 32 cousins.

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“(Parents) Greg and Ashley are facing insurmountable difficulties, including unforeseen funeral expenses. Your contribution will greatly ease the financial burden so they can focus on their family and their journey forward without their shining light, Charlotte.”

Officers from the SDG OPP, South Stormont Fire Department and Cornwall SDG Paramedics responded to the crash on County Road 2 west of Long Sault. When officers arrived, they found off-duty firefighters and others attempting to save the victim's life, but the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene.

“(They) did everything they could to resuscitate her and keep her alive,” OPP spokesman Bill Dickson told CBC News. “This is a terrible tragedy for a family and a community.”

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SDG OPP said over the weekend that initial investigations revealed the girl, a resident of South Stormont, was riding her bicycle eastbound on the westbound shoulder when she was struck by a westbound car.

The driver of the car was not physically injured, and police say the driver remained at the crime scene and cooperated with the investigation.

County Road 2 was closed for several hours but reopened on Friday night.

SDG OPP continued its investigation into the collision over the weekend with assistance from OPP collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators.

The OPP asked anyone who witnessed the collision or may have information to contact police over the weekend.

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