Community mourns brothers killed in Strathcona County crash

EDMONTON – Friends say when Dalin and Logan Torresan smiled, they lit up the room. The brothers, aged 17 and 14, were killed in a collision Monday afternoon.

The brothers, who lived in rural Strathcona County, were in a sedan travelling north on Range Road 213 around noon. They had just left their home and were on their way into Sherwood Park.

Witnesses tell police that the sedan stopped at a stop sign at the Highway 16 intersection, and then pulled out into the eastbound lanes, where the vehicle was struck by a pick-up truck. Both boys died at the scene.

The driver and lone occupant of the truck, a 54-year-old man from Willingdon, Alberta, was taken to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

Tuesday morning, several people were seen leaving flowers and messages at a memorial at the site of the crash.

“They just light up a room with their smiles,” shared Renee Vursey.  “They were loved by so many. Everybody’s just going to miss them.”

“It’s very tough for everybody in the community,” she added. “They’re going to be missed by everybody. It’s so sad to see them go.”

Family friend Lorna Guindon describes the situation as a “tragic loss, tragedy for everyone involved.”

She spent some time Monday evening with boys’ parents.

“Completely devastated,” she explained, fighting back tears. “They lost both of their sons and they’re devastated.”

Guindon says Logan and Dalin also leave behind a sister.

“She’s completely devastated as well. She’s the middle child, and she lost both of her brothers as well.”

“I think everyone’s still trying to deal with the reality of what’s happened, and we just want to support them,” Guindon added.

For Audrey Dernederlanden, the loss is one she can sadly relate to.

“My son was killed in a motorcycle accident at 18,” she shares. “And this is two boys all at the same time, so we feel it. It’s close to home.”

“It’s two boys at one time, all at one time. It’s very sudden. It’s hard to fathom why.”

“We just wanted to lend our support to the parents and the family,” adds Jackie Hebert. “It is our community. It’s a wonderful community.”

“It just makes me very sad to think about what the parents are going through.”

Family, friends and even strangers are turning to social media to share memories and tributes to the young men.

“Words can’t describe any of this because I think, to everyone who had a relation to Logan and Dalin, has a very surreal feeling,” wrote Todd McAdam on a special Facebook page, “and I can’t imagine how Logan and Dalin’s family is coping with this situation… Rest in peace gentlemen, it was a pleasure to be friends with you.”

“There was not one life that wasn’t touched by these two young boys and their crazy-loving family,” Jodie Heinrichs wrote on the page. “I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say that when you walked into the Torresan home, you were immediately considered family. Those boys would accept you no matter who you are… To Carol and Dean, please know that although you have lost two children, you have gained a hundred more.”

The boys’ school, Ardrossan Junior Senior High, lowered its flag Tuesday.

Dalin and Logan were involved in their community. Both were avid arm wrestlers and took part in a number of tournaments, winning in many cases.

Police continue to investigate, but so far believe alcohol and speed were not factors in the collision.

Cst. Wally Henry with Strathcona County RCMP says the fatal crash serves as an important reminder.

“Whether it’s a rural stop sign like this, entering a major highway, or whether it’s a stop sign in a residential area where traffic is going at a slower speed. It just serves as a reminder for us all that we need to stop at stop signs and make sure we’re paying attention when we pull out into traffic.”

“It’s a very sad day for everybody involved in this investigation,” adds Cst. Henry. “Something like this affects the whole community, and our hearts just go out to the families of these boys.”

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