Mother loses three of her children thanks to teenage driver's 'selfish decision'
Three children from the Lavina-Galve Family were killed and a fourth and their mother left fighting for their lives after an allegedly drunk driver smashed into their car.
Ramone, 15, his brother Jace, 13, and sister Maya, six, died in the accident, and their brother Avery, 10, and mother Jade, 35, were badly injured.
Their Chrysler Pacifica was struck at a red light by a Dodge Caravan, driven by Ethan Lehouillier, 19, who sped off a highway exit ramp in Etobicoke, Toronto, about 12.30am on Sunday.
Lehouillier was arrested at the scene, appearing to have avoided serious injury as he was handcuffed and taken away.
A 40-year-old man, who was driving the Pacifica, whom police said was a family friend, suffered less serious injuries.
Family mourned the three children with heartbreaking tributes and hoped Avery and her mother would recover.
Their uncle Jeff Lavina said: 'You kids will always be in my heart. Thank you for giving me the blessing of being your uncle. You kids gave me extra purpose.
'Hearing you all call me "Tito Jeff" was one of the best feelings ever. If I could choose, I'll choose to be your uncle in every single life.
'Our memories will live on forever. All the times spent with you all were the best moments in my life.'
Jade's best friend Emilia Kim lashed out at Lehouillier, who is accused of causing the crash by driving dangerously while intoxicated.
'No parent should ever have to endure what Jade is going through. To lose three children in a blink, it's unthinkable, unbearable and cruel beyond reason,' she wrote.
'This was not an accident. It was a choice, one made with complete disregard for human life.'
'A choice that stole three young lives filled with laughter, dreams and love. A choice that left a mother broken and a family torn apart forever. I am angry. So angry.'
Drunk? Police say Lehouillier was under the influence when he crashed into the family
A fundraiser for the family has amassed more than $60,000.
Lehouillier is charged with three counts each of dangerous driving causing death, impaired driving causing death, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, and impaired driving causing bodily harm.
He faces a maximum punishment of life imprisonment if convicted of even one of the first six charges.
The teenager faced court at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre and was remanded in custody.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said his 'thoughts are with the families grieving this unimaginable loss of life'.
'I am heartbroken by the tragic and senseless deaths of three young children,' he said.
'The person responsible for this heinous act needs to face the harshest punishment possible.'
Police are still investigating the crash and asked drivers who were nearby to share their dashcam footage.
Acting Duty Inspector Baheer Sarvanandan said the crash was caused by 'one person's decision to drink and drive'.
'We educate the public of the dangers of drinking and driving, and this is the result: a family is torn apart,' he said.
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