Parents devastated by the loss of their daughter stress the importance of wearing her seatbelt, a simple habit that “could have saved her from an accident” that occurred as she was preparing to be with her to celebrate the New Year with her family.
“When our son called us to tell us the news, we broke down, it hurt so much… We had barely passed the crime scene five minutes before,” says Nick Polson, a sob in his voice.
His daughter, Angelica Cheezo Otter, 32, was a passenger in a car that went off the road and overturned several times on Route 113 near Desmaraisville in northern Quebec on Dec. 28.
According to the young woman's father, she died immediately because she was not wearing a seat belt. Two of the vehicle's three other occupants, friends, were seriously injured.
In the days following the tragedy, a vigil was organized in her memory in Waswanipi, where she lived. Photo provided by Nick Polson
“We try to remind people to buckle up, regardless of their age. It could have saved her,” laments Mr. Polson.
Driving drunk
Ms Cheezo Otter was on her way to her home in Waswanipi to celebrate the New Year when the tragedy occurred. It is an indigenous community halfway between Lebel-sur-Quévillon and Chibougamau.
According to the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), the man driving was drunk when he swerved. He was arrested after blood tests stabilized his condition in hospital.
“But it may take months before we have the results,” explains Hugues Beaulieu, spokesman for the SQ.
The 32-year-old woman was the mother of two daughters aged 14 and 15. Photo from Angelica Cheezo Otters Facebook
When asked about the driver's drunken state, the victim's family declined to comment on the situation.
“I have nothing against him, he was a good friend of Angelica. “I’m sure he blames himself and will think twice before getting behind the wheel again,” says Mr Polson.
A star in the sky
In addition to her parents, Angelica Cheezo Otter is mourning the loss of her two sisters, her two daughters, ages 14 and 15, and dozens of friends.
A few days after her death, many people gathered outside the daycare center where she worked to pay their last respects at a candlelight vigil.
According to the victim's father, a single star shone in the sky as his loved ones paid their respects. Photo provided by Nick Polson
“She was so kind and generous to everyone that people wanted to return the love she gave them all these years,” her father said.
“Only one star shone in the sky that night. “We tell ourselves it was her who was watching us from up there,” he adds.
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