SASKATOON – It is a tragedy that is hitting close to home for many people. An entire family of four killed in a highway collision on Sunday morning by an alleged drunk driver.
On Tuesday, the grieving process continued for close family and friends of the Van de Vorst family. A fun-filled day of sledding for the family on New Year’s Day with vibrant laughter on the video is now heartbreaking to watch.
After they were tragically killed in a collision at the intersection of Highway 11 and Wanuskewin Road, when the vehicle they were travelling in was struck by Jeep Wrangler SUV as the driver attempted to cross the highway.
READ MORE: Charges laid after tragic collision north of Saskatoon
Jordan Van de Vorst, 34, was driving at the time of the crash with his wife, Chanda, 33, who was also pronounced dead at the scene. Both of their children, two-year-old Miguire and five-year-old Kamryn would later succumb to their injuries in hospital.
Catherine McKay, 49, will make a second court appearance Thursday when the number of RCMP charges of impaired operation of a motor vehicle causing death will total four. Other charges are also anticipated at that time.
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“I don’t even know if it’s fully sunk in yet, it’s hard to even think about, seeing the faces all over the media and Facebook hasn’t been the easiest thing but it’s also important to remember the kind of people that they were,” said Colin Chatfield, a friend of Jordan’s who last spoke to him over Christmas.
Jordan who was a skilled photographer regularly submitted his work to Global News for the weather segment. A passion shared between he and Chatfield who bonded over photography on a daily basis, in their quest to capture the beauty of the northern lights.
“He always joked around and had a lot of fun so that was the main thing when we went out shooting together, there was kinda five of us that went out shooting fairly regularly as much as we could and talked on Facebook nearly every day and it was always kinda a laugh fest.”
According to Chatfield, while Jordan poured his heart and soul into this craft, what he was most passionate about was his family.
“It was family first and then everything after that, he loved his wife and kids and his wife supported him with his photography a lot and I think was pretty proud of what he was doing,” he said.
A single snowflake, the last piece of work Jordan posted on Facebook on the afternoon of Jan. 2, is now the profile picture of so many who loved he and his family.
“We’ll always have the photos to remember things by which is good, those of us who knew Jordan will be forever blessed to have known him and to have called him a friend.”
Funeral arrangements for the Van de Vorst family are underway however it is unclear when a service will be held. Global News has been told it could be Saturday.
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