UPDATE: Robert Major to stand trial in Highway 16 crash that killed sons, girlfriend
SASKATOON – The morning of Feb. 22 for Rob Major started out as “too good to be true,” a picture perfect Monday that would end in tragedy. The truck Major was driving with six people inside would strike a semi in the westbound lane of Highway 16 just outside of Langham, Sask. and only four people would survive.
READ MORE: 3 dead, 5 hospitalized in Highway 16 crash west of Saskatoon
A parent’s worst nightmare say friends of the family. Killed in the collision were two of three of Major’s sons and his girlfriend.
“They didn’t see any stop sign and by the time he realized the highway was there and tried to stop it was just too late,” said Rob Nicholls, confirming the family was en route to the boys’ mother’s house as they drove down rural route 3083.
“They came out onto the highway there and collided with that car hauler.”
According to Nicholls, the two “joy-filled” boys declared deceased on scene were four-year-old Brenden Major and nine-year-old Theodore Cardinal.
“He loved his boys a lot, you know he was a really good dad. He spent a lot of time with them, they did a lot of camping and fishing and it’s been pretty hard on him.”
The 26-year-old woman from Corman Park who was also killed in the crash is being identified by Nicholls as Kimberly Oliverio.
Nicholls, who owns Offroad Exteriors Inc. in Martensville and who has employed Major for the last six years, said he rushed to the hospital as soon as he heard the news.
“Whether you have kids or not, it’s going to tug at the heart strings but when you got kids at home close to that same age it’s pretty hard to handle.”
Two other boys in the truck that day, Major’s other son and nephew are expected to make a full recovery. The seventh person, identified as Scott Eckle, is said to still be in critical condition at Royal University Hospital and Major has been discharged.
“He had some fractures in his vertebra, he had fractured his neck as well, he had multiple broken ribs, lots of cuts and bruises, his ankle was twisted up pretty good there.”
“It’s a miracle he’s even walking today.”
In a show of support for the family during their darkest hours, friends have now set up an account in trust for Major at the Biggar District Credit Union and have sold nearly all 225 tickets to a steak night at Sports on Tap on Monday, March 7.
They continue to pray for the survivors and say even if you don’t get a ticket in time anyone can stop by to show their support.
“We just wanted to try to come up that we could do to help them so they didn’t have that financial burden hanging over their shoulders while they mourn their loved ones here.”
At the time of collision, Major told friends there was reduced visibility. The official cause of the crash is still under investigation.
“The fact of the matter is, it’s an accident,” said Nicholls.
“A father and a mother lost their kids, a father lost his girlfriend. Nobody asked for it to happen and it’s about as sad as it can get too.”
Comments