Accident claims life of two young people

A collision on Concession 2 in The Nation Municipality has claimed the lives of two local young people.

Eighteen-year-old Garett Allen of Cassburn Road in Champlain Township and 17-year-old Naomi Théoret of Concession 2 in The Nation Municipality were pronounced dead at the scene of a collision which occurred at about 5 p.m. on Monday, January 10.

Hawkesbury Ontario Provincial Police were dispatched shortly before 5:30 p.m. to the scene of a collision involving a pick-up truck and a semi-trailer on Concession 2 in The Nation Municipality between Claude Duval Road and County Road 10.

A black 1994 GMC pick-up truck was being driven westbound on Concession 2 by Allen when it hit a loaded semi-trailer that was parked blocking the westbound lane.

Allen, who graduated from Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute last year as an honour student, was well-liked and had participated in last year’s rugby exchange and played broomball and soccer, winning awards for his skills as a goalie.

Theoret was a Grade 12 student at École Le Sommet in Hawkesbury. Principal Anne Laflamme is quoted as saying Theoret was commited to the school’s volleyball team and would help coach younger players.

Allen had recently completed 18 4-H clubs and had been active competing in Prescott County Plowing matches over the years.

VCI Principal Jeff Campbell described Allen as “a wonderful kid” and said that the close-knit VCI community is in mourning.

Grief counsellors and critical response workes were available to students and staff in Vankleek Hill.

Support has also been made available to the grieving Le Sommet community.

Both victims were transported to the Ottawa General Hospital for a postmortem.

OPP Technical Traffic Collision Investigators and an OPP Commercial Vehicle Officer were sent to the scene to support the investigation led by Constable Dominique Sauvé of the Hawkesbury OPP.

The matter is still under investigation.

No charges had been laid as of the time of the OPP press release (12:30 a.m. January 11).

Garett Allen is the son of Scott and Faye Allen. He had one brother and two sisters.

Funeral arrangements are being entrusted to Hillcrest Funeral Home but details were not available at press time. Please visit www.hillcrestfuneralhome.ca for information.