Three struck by a car in Barrie’s south end remain in hospital with critical injuries

Empower Simcoe has confirmed that three pedestrians who were hit by a car last week near Sadlon Arena in Barrie, Ont., are still recovering in hospital.

The organization, which works with people with intellectual disabilities and those with lower incomes, confirmed that one of the people hit was an employee and the two others were clients.

“Currently, all three people are receiving the medical treatment needed. We are providing support to the families and remaining closely connected to them during this trying time,” said Empower Simcoe in a GoFundMe post.

The three people were hit by a car on Dec. 1 around 6:30 p.m. in the area of Bayview Drive and Mapleview Drive.

Ornge Air ambulance confirmed to Global News last week that one male patient in his 40s was transported to Sunnybrook, while one female patient in her 50s and one male patient in his 50s were both transported to St. Michael’s.

Claudine Cousins, CEO of Empower Simcoe, said right now, they will not be releasing any names at the request of the victims’ families, but she did confirm their staff member was a woman in her 50s and their clients were two men, one in his 40s and the other in his 50s.

She said all three are still in hospital in Toronto, saying their staff member is now alert and talking while one of the men is in serious condition and the second is in critical condition.

“The second individual supported, who was hurt much more intensely, is still in critical condition, no longer a life-threatening, but still critical condition with a number of broken bones and impacted in so many different ways,” she said.

Cousins said their employee has worked for them for over 30 years, while one of the men has been accessing services since 1984 and the second since 2014.

“They are well known to us, and they’re pretty much part of a family when it comes to individuals we support,” she said.

The driver of the vehicle, whom police have identified as Cassie Korzenko, 32, remains in custody.

She is facing three charges of impaired operation causing bodily harm.

Cousins said the three were on their way to a Barrie Colts game when the collision happened.
 
She said, in response, the Barrie Colts have donated $5,000 to Empower Simcoe’s fundraiser for the families impacted and said they are also working to make sure an incident like this does not happen again near the arena.

Empower Simcoe has started a GoFundMe to help those impacted and assist their families with the cost of travelling to and from Toronto to see them.

“We know that during times like this, it’s not like it’s a planned event; it’s an accident that’s happened that is creating an extraordinary cost for these families,” Cousins said.

Following the accident, The City of Barrie is encouraging people attending the Sadlon Arena to use the north parking lot at Sadlon Arena, when possible and to drop off passengers at the door before parking.
 
“We were all very saddened to hear about the accident near the entrance to Sadlon Arena last week,” said Mayor Alex Nuttall.

“Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, and we wish them a speedy recovery.”