Families of crash victims, survivors, community members and police officers gathered in Brampton on Saturday as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada added 11 new names to the provincial monument that honours people killed in alcohol- or drug-related collisions.
Remembrance and warning at Chinguacousy Park
The ceremony at the memorial in Chinguacousy Park brought together people whose lives were altered by collisions and those working to prevent future tragedies. The additions bring the total number of engraved names to 175, the group said.
Among the names newly inscribed were three children who died in a May 2025 crash on Highway 401 in Etobicoke. The children — identified by family as Ramone, 15; Jace, 13; and Mya Laviña, six — were in a van that was stopped at a red light when another vehicle crossed a median and struck them, the family has said.
“Don’t ever drink and drive. One decision can change someone’s life forever,”
The comment came from the children’s mother, whose presence at the event underscored the intimate grief behind the names on the stone. MADD and attendees said events like this help families find support and ensure victims are not forgotten.
Enforcement figures and context
The memorial update comes as police across the province continue to prioritise impaired-driving enforcement. Ontario Provincial Police reported laying more than 6,000 impaired-driving charges so far this year, signalling both a policing focus on the issue and the scale of incidents that prompt public safety campaigns and legal action.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| New names added (Saturday) | 11 |
| Total names on memorial | 175 |
| OPP impaired-driving charges this year | More than 6,000 |
Community impact and survivor voices
Those who attended described the monument as a focal point for collective mourning and a public reminder of the consequences of impaired driving. MADD officials noted the site, unveiled in 2023, has become a place where families return to mark anniversaries and add new names.
Speakers at the event included survivors of impaired-driving crashes and frontline officers. They emphasised prevention measures — from education and public campaigns to targeted police operations — as essential to reducing fatalities and injuries on Ontario roads.
Local community organisations attending the ceremony stressed the ripple effects of these crashes. Road trauma extends beyond immediate families to friends, first responders and small communities, particularly where services for counselling and long-term support may be limited.
What families are asking for
Relatives of victims who spoke publicly have urged drivers to take precautions and choose alternatives to driving while impaired. Calls included planning safe rides home, using designated drivers, taking public transit or booking rideshares when available. MADD continues to advocate for policy measures and public education to reduce impaired-device driving incidents.
- Family members say ceremonies help with grieving and maintaining public awareness.
- Police figures point to ongoing enforcement efforts across Ontario.
- MADD highlights the memorial as both remembrance and a tool for prevention messaging.
For many in the crowd on Saturday, the ceremony was not only a commemoration but an urgent plea. Each engraved name represents a household changed forever, and the continuing additions to the monument underline that impaired driving remains a pressing public-safety challenge in Ontario.
As communities across the province prepare for holiday seasons and increased travel times on major highways, officials and advocates say the combined approach of enforcement, education and community support will be necessary to prevent more names from being added to the stone in the years ahead.
