Latest news with #ChryslerPacifica
Hamilton Spectator
18 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Reeling': Family of three children killed in Hwy. 401 crash releases statement, plans funeral
Relatives of the three siblings who died after a 19-year-old man allegedly driving drunk lost control on a Highway 401 off-ramp and crashed into their car are 'still reeling' from the loss, the Laviña-Galve family says. 'Although we remain utterly devastated, we are now in the process of planning the funeral for our three dear children, which is something no parent should ever have to endure,' the family said in a statement through their lawyer Friday. The deaths of 15-year-old Ramone Jaiden Laviña, 13-year-old Jace Evan Laviña and six-year-old Mya Ava Laviña are an 'unimaginable tragedy,' the family said, adding they are grateful to the first responders, hospital staff and community members who stepped in. A long-time family friend confirmed the identity of the family after getting a call from the children's father with the shocking news. A long-time family friend confirmed the identity of the family after getting a call from the children's father with the shocking news. It happened shortly after midnight Sunday, May 18 when driver Ethan Lehouillier allegedly lost control on a Highway 401 off-ramp and crashed into the Chrysler Pacifica carrying the family, Toronto police said. Lehouillier has been charged with three counts of impaired operation causing death, impaired operation causing bodily harm, dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm. The deaths of the three Laviña children are an 'unimaginable tragedy,' the family said. The father, who was not in the car, told a family friend that only one of his four children, age 10, survived. The child suffered a broken arm, broken collarbone and numerous cuts and bruises to his face, the family friend previously said. The children's mother was rushed to Sunnybrook Hospital following the crash, suffering several broken ribs and a severe concussion, along with other injuries. A publication ban protecting the identities of the three siblings who died on May 18 was lifted Thursday, Toronto lawyer Samarra D'Souza said. The family added they are aware that the driver is facing impaired driving charges but said they cannot comment further while the case is before the court. A GoFundMe set up by a family friend in the wake of the crash has raised more than $234,000 for the family as of Friday. The children's funeral will be held on June 14 in Scarborough. With files from Jason Miller, Anastasia Blosser and Joyce Li Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Toronto Star
21 hours ago
- Toronto Star
‘Reeling': Family of three children killed in Hwy. 401 crash releases statement, plans funeral
Relatives of the three siblings who died after a 19-year-old man allegedly driving drunk lost control on a Highway 401 off-ramp and crashed into their car are 'still reeling' from the loss, the Laviña-Galve family says. 'Although we remain utterly devastated, we are now in the process of planning the funeral for our three dear children, which is something no parent should ever have to endure,' the family said in a statement through their lawyer Friday. The deaths of 15-year-old Ramone Jaiden Laviña, 13-year-old Jace Evan Laviña and six-year-old Mya Ava Laviña are an 'unimaginable tragedy,' the family said, adding they are grateful to the first responders, hospital staff and community members who stepped in. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Gta 'Those kids were her world': Three children killed in Highway 401 crash involving allegedly impaired driver A long-time family friend confirmed the identity of the family after getting a call from the children's father with the shocking news. Gta 'Those kids were her world': Three children killed in Highway 401 crash involving allegedly impaired driver A long-time family friend confirmed the identity of the family after getting a call from the children's father with the shocking news. It happened shortly after midnight Sunday, May 18 when driver Ethan Lehouillier allegedly lost control on a Highway 401 off-ramp and crashed into the Chrysler Pacifica carrying the family, Toronto police said. Lehouillier has been charged with three counts of impaired operation causing death, impaired operation causing bodily harm, dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm. The deaths of the three Laviña children are an 'unimaginable tragedy,' the family said. Laviña-Galve family The father, who was not in the car, told a family friend that only one of his four children, age 10, survived. The child suffered a broken arm, broken collarbone and numerous cuts and bruises to his face, the family friend previously said. The children's mother was rushed to Sunnybrook Hospital following the crash, suffering several broken ribs and a severe concussion, along with other injuries. A publication ban protecting the identities of the three siblings who died on May 18 was lifted Thursday, Toronto lawyer Samarra D'Souza said. The family added they are aware that the driver is facing impaired driving charges but said they cannot comment further while the case is before the court. A GoFundMe set up by a family friend in the wake of the crash has raised more than $234,000 for the family as of Friday. The children's funeral will be held on June 14 in Scarborough. With files from Jason Miller, Anastasia Blosser and Joyce Li
Global News
2 days ago
- Global News
Publication ban lifted for 3 siblings killed in crash with alleged drunk driver in Toronto
A publication ban covering the identities of the three siblings who died in a crash involving a suspected impaired, speeding driver has been lifted at the request of Crown prosecutors. On Thursday, an Ontario court removed the ban which had previously forbidden the naming of 15-year-old Ramone, 13-year-old Jace and six-year-old Mya Laviña-Galve. The family of the children has indicated the funeral service is planned for June 13 and 14. The three siblings died in the early hours of Sunday, May 18, after their family car was struck while waiting at a red light by an allegedly drunk driver coming off Highway 401 in Etobicoke. At the time, Toronto police said a Chrysler Pacifica was sitting at a red light on Renforth Drive when a speeding Dodge Caravan, leaving Highway 401, lost control and collided with the minivan. Story continues below advertisement Two of the siblings were killed in the crash, and a third died in hospital. The only surviving child and their mother were both taken to hospital and expected to make a recovery. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Cousins told how the family was returning from watching a long-weekend fireworks display in Milton and visiting grandparents when the tragic crash happened around 12:30 a.m. 'They went to watch fireworks in Milton, it was a day event, there was activity with horses, they were there with other cousins, just a family fireworks day for the long weekend,' a cousin said in an interview after the crash. They said the mother — also named Jace — remembered the details of the crash clearly. 'She remembers everything pretty vividly, she remembers the car coming so fast towards them,' they said. Another cousin said, 'She thought it was a dream, she can't imagine this car going this fast, this can't be real.' The family requested the publication ban be lifted, court heard. A GoFundMe set up for the family has surpassed $230,000 in contributions. 'The Laviña-Galve Family, a family that is so core to our community, now needs our support during this incredibly difficult time,' the GoFundMe read. Story continues below advertisement We humbly request your assistance to help them navigate this dark period be it through donation or spreading awareness for them. Additionally, we ask for your prayers, that the grieving family may find strength, hope, and the courage to overcome this heart-wrenching tragedy.' The 19-year-old accused of causing the crash and driving impaired appeared briefly in court on Thursday. Ethan Lehouillier, from Georgetown, was arrested at the scene of the crash. He was charged with three counts of both impaired driving causing death and of dangerous driving causing death. In total, Lehouillier faces 12 charges. His lawyer said he would not seek bail. Lehouillier returns to court on June 17. — with files from Global News' Catherine McDonald
The Drive
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Drive
Amazon and Stellantis' Big Plan to Revolutionize In-Car Tech Is Dead
The latest car news, reviews, and features. In January 2022, Amazon and Stellantis announced a multi-year partnership formed to develop a suite of software that was expected to end up in millions of cars starting in 2024. The agreement was proudly presented as a way for Stellantis to 'accelerate its shift to becoming a sustainable mobility tech company,' while presumably giving Amazon a significant advantage in its rivalry against Google. Fast-forward to 2025 and plans have changed. The partnership is ending, according to a new report, and Stellantis may knock on Google's door instead. It's too early to tell why the partnership is winding down, according to Reuters . Parting ways 'will allow each team to focus on solutions that provide value to our shared customers and better align with our evolving strategies,' the companies jointly told the news agency. I'd give that statement a five-star rating in marketing-bullshit-ology. It answers the question in the vaguest and most non-committal way possible. Joining forces with Amazon was a great idea on paper. Like many of its peers and rivals, Stellantis realized that it often makes more sense to focus on what it does best—developing cars—and outsource the tech part of the equation to a tech company. Software has become one of the main measuring sticks in the automotive industry, especially outside of niche and performance-oriented segments. Offering a cutting-edge digital experience is now a core requirement for a volume-oriented group that sells cars all over the world. Stellantis One of the centerpieces of the partnership was a feature called SmartCockpit. It relied on artificial intelligence, Amazon's Alexa tech, and cloud solutions to link the car's infotainment system to the user's digital ecosystem. The software was notably supposed to include curated services and experiences available through an app store. Stellantis provided an example: In a Chrysler Pacifica, SmartCockpit would be able to offer a family trip planner that recommended media content, points of interest, and restaurants. Jeep models were supposed to get a digital off-road coach to help, say, a Wrangler owner navigate a difficult trail without violently introducing the engine's oil pan to a rock. It goes without saying that an e-commerce marketplace and a payment service were part of SmartCockpit as well; this is Amazon, after all. And, Alexa connectivity would have allowed users to control their connected home devices, like lights, from behind the wheel. Of course, the ability to monetize the software was baked in early on, and this wasn't purely about the user experience. Stellantis would have paid Amazon for access to the software in each car equipped with it, along with various maintenance fees. In exchange, the carmaker would have received an incentive fee when a driver signed up for, say, a music subscription service through the car's infotainment screen. Stellantis and Amazon will continue to work on various other projects, according to the report, though none were named. It doesn't sound like the retail giant will try to develop a SmartCockpit-like software with another company: Sources told Reuters most of the Digital Cabin staff have left the company or been re-assigned to a different department. Stellantis remains committed to the idea, however, and Reuters reports that executives are open to the idea of enlisting the help of Google's Android platform to bring the technology to the market. Got tips? Send 'em to tips@
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Stellantis names US and quality boss as its new CEO
Stellantis, the parent company of 14 brands including Jeep, Ram, Peugeot, Citroen, Opel/Vauxhall, Fiat, Maserati and Alfa Romeo, has appointed Antonio Filosa, currently the chief operating officer of Stellantis North America and the automaker's global chief quality officer, as its new CEO. Mr Filosa (below) will start in his role as Stellantis CEO on June 23. He will name his executive team closer to that date. 'His track record of successful leadership during his many years with our Company speaks for itself and this, together with his deep knowledge of our business and of the complex dynamics facing our industry, make him the natural choice to become Stellantis' next CEO,' Robert Peugeot, the automaker's vice chairman, said in a prepared statement. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Antonio Filosa Credit: CarExpert Born in Naples in 1973, Mr Filosa started his career in 1999 as a trainee at Fiat. After roles in Europe and the US, he landed in Brazil in 2005, where worked his way up through program management, plant management and head of purchasing to become the head of Fiat Chrysler Latin America in 2018. During his time in South America he launched the Jeep brand there, took Fiat to a 'market leading position', and 'significantly grew' the Peugeot, Citroen, Ram and Jeep brands. When he starts in June, Mr Filosa will have long list of items to deal with. Last year profits at Stellantis dropped 70 per cent on the back of falling sales and a glut of unsold vehicles in the US. There are also persistent quality issues. In mid-2024, then-CEO Carlos Tavares publicly criticised the Sterling Heights plant for building too many Ram 1500 pickup trucks that needed be pulled off the assembly line to be repaired before they could leave the factory. Chrysler Pacifica Credit: CarExpert DS No8 Presidential Credit: CarExpert Lancia Ypsilon Credit: CarExpert Maserati MC20 Credit: CarExpert Another priority for the French-Italian-American automotive conglomerate, the world's fifth-largest automaker, is sorting out what to do with its collection of 14 brands, which under the previous CEO were all given 10 years to prove themselves. Those most at risk include Chrysler, which sells just the Pacifica people mover; Lancia, another one-model brand whose reborn Ypsilon is struggling to gain traction; and DS, the luxury brand spun off from Citroen which continues to struggle to establish itself against incumbent marques. The Chrysler, DS and Citroen brands were retired in Australia in recent years, while Lancia was axed here in 1985. A recent report indicates Stellantis is preparing to sell Maserati, which posted a €260 million loss last year and cancelled its MC20 Folgore electric supercar. Carlos Tavares Credit: CarExpert Stellantis has been without a CEO since Carlos Tavares quit with immediate effect at the beginning of December 2024, reportedly after a disagreement with the board over the company's EV strategy. In 2014 Mr Tavares (above) jumped ship from Renault to become CEO of the PSA Group, the parent company of Peugeot, Citroen and DS, after the French government and Chinese automaker Dongfeng bailed the company out. He helped to turn the company around with a sharp focus on costs and platform sharing. In 2017 he engineered the buy out of Opel and Vauxhall from General Motors. Within a year the beleaguered brands were back in the black after decades of red ink. With his star ascendent his next move proved to be a bridge too far: the 2021 mega-merger of PSA with Fiat Chrysler to form Stellantis. Since the departure of Mr Tavares the company, especially in the US, has been trying to mend relationships with its suppliers and dealers. There are also rumours the company may return the Hemi V8 to the Ram 1500 range – an engine Mr Tavares effectively killed off. MORE: Everything Stellantis
