Communities in mourning as OPP officer and respected school bus driver killed in crash
Messages of support continue to come in following the death of an OPP officer and a school bus driver.
Both were killed in a crash when their vehicles collided at Oxford Road 33 and Highway 59 northwest of Woodstock.
Det. Const. Steven Torangeau, 35, originally from Lakeshore, Ont., was identified by the OPP as the officer who died.
Police said the driver of the bus would not be identified, however, a GoFundMe page identifies him as Dave Stewart and his obituary has been posted by a local funeral home.
According to the page, the fundraiser was set up by his family who said, "Our father was killed this morning [Monday] in a school bus accident. Dave was a well loved man by his family and friends as well as the children he drove on his school bus.... we are raising money to help with funeral costs."
CTV News London spoke with members of Dave’s family who told us, "He was a well-rounded family man who loved watching football and Nascar. He was well known around Woodstock from his small engine repair business and he always had a smile on his face. He loved cracking jokes and would do anything for his daughters, son in laws and anyone in need.
A parent whose child rode Stewart's bus told CTV News Kitchener he was a "phenomonal man who was amazing at his job and amazing with the students."
A note from the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) to parents was sent home following the crash when it was learned one of the bus drivers that services TVDSB schools was involved.
"Dear Parents and Caregivers,
This email is to update the school about a reported traumatic event in the community.
At approximately 7:00am this morning there was a collision involving a school bus and a vehicle in Oxford County. There were no students on the bus at the time of the collision.
Both drivers, including the school bus driver were killed in the collision. OPP are not releasing the name of the school bus driver out of respect to the family’s privacy.
This type of event impacts everyone differently. We have attached some information for parents and caregivers on typical responses youth have when they experience such stress and what may be helpful in supporting them through this.
A Traumatic Event Response Team is available to offer support to students. If your child requires additional support, please reach out to the school directly.
This is a very difficult time for all of us and our thoughts and condolences are with the families.
Sincerely,
Thames Valley District School Board"
The London Police Service will be taking over the investigation.
The rural Oxford County intersection where where the crash took place was less than a month away from becoming a four-way stop, according to the county.
During this year’s budget process, Oxford Country approved safety improvements at the intersection, including changing it from a two-way stop to a four-way stop, reducing the speed limit to 60 km/h approaching the corner, and adding rumble strips, electronic speed feedback signs and overhead flashing red lights.
Neighbours told CTV News on Monday the corner of Highway 59 and Oxford County Road 33 is well known for being dangerous.
— With files from CTV News Kitchener
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A man was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.