VAUGHAN, Ont. – Grief-stricken members of a community came together Thursday to mourn three young siblings and their grandfather, whose deaths in an alleged drunk driving accident north of Toronto have sparked an outpouring of grief and sympathy.
Many sobbed openly at a vigil in Vaughan, Ont. as candles were lit in memory of nine-year-old Daniel, five-year-old Harrison and two-year-old Milly Neville-Lake and their grandfather Gary Neville.
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Hundreds hoisted candles of their own outside St. Padre Pio church, many of them families with small children in tow.
Some placed flowers on the church steps or left messages and donations for the family in the care of organizers.
Marco Muzzo, of King Township, Ont., faces a dozen impaired-driving offences and six charges related to the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle in connection with the incident.
The suspect is set to appear in court for a bail hearing on Friday regarding the allegations.
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At Thursday night’s vigil, Frances Pullano said the tragedy hit close to home because she lives near the site of Sunday’s fatal crash and has two young grandchildren.
“There’s no comfort for this, there’s no words,” she said as church bells tolled in honour of the Neville-Lake family.
“I haven’t slept, I haven’t been able to sleep in peace…I haven’t had five minutes without these little angels in my mind.”
Lella DePalma, one of the vigil’s organizers, said the Neville-Lake family’s loss has struck a chord with parents everywhere.
“This tragedy has awakened in us a sense of familial vulnerability,” she said.
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