Families of teens killed by impaired driver in Sudbury join launch of Festive RIDE campaign
Police in Sudbury launched the annual Festive RIDE campaign Thursday, and they used the site of a community tragedy to drive home the dangers of impaired driving.
The parents of Jasmine Houle, Caitlyn Jelley and Steven Phillippe joined Sudbury police, Ontario Provincial Police and other partners on Municipal Road 80 in Hanmer, where the three teens were killed by a drunk driver in June 2009.
The parents of Jasmine Houle, Caitlyn Jelley and Steven Phillippe joined Sudbury police, Ontario Provincial Police and other partners on Municipal Road 80 in Hanmer, where the three teens were killed by a drunk driver in June 2009. (Angela Gemmill/CTV News)
There is now a memorial at the site – a small garden with three wooden crosses, a memorial bench and a sign with the victims’ pictures on it.
"If you’re going to drive impaired, you should know that you're going to hit something somebody, yourself," said Corinne Williamson, Jasmine’s mother.
"Somebody's going to get hurt. I mean, the consequences are just not even worth it."
As the years have passed, Williamson said the pain doesn't go away.
"It doesn't get easier, but it gets lighter,” she said.
"You still have to make sure that people know that it's not even acceptable to drive impaired. It’s not."
Police say the families represent the tragic consequences when someone gets behind the wheel after consuming drugs or alcohol.
The parents of Jasmine Houle, Caitlyn Jelley and Steven Phillippe joined Sudbury police, Ontario Provincial Police and other partners on Municipal Road 80 in Hanmer, where the three teens were killed by a drunk driver in June 2009. (Angela Gemmill/CTV News)
As of the end of October, Greater Sudbury Police Service said there were 216 impaired arrests so far in 2024, including 133 for alcohol, 72 for drugs and 11 refusing to provide a sample.
There were 308 impaired offences in all of 2023.
Sudbury police want to remind the community there is a zero-tolerance approach to impaired driving of any motor vehicle.
"What I'd like to see is that we're not getting anybody," said Insp. Robert Norman.
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
"That tells me that our community has a zero tolerance to impaired operation, and we have no accidents, we have no offences, we're not charging people with impaired offences. That's where we'd like to be."
For the next six weeks, officers will set up RIDE spot checks in random locations at all hours of the day on the lookout for impaired drivers.
Police urge everyone who will be celebrating to plan ahead about how to get home safely, with the hopes that this Holiday season won’t end in tragedy.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
N.Y. prosecutors charge Luigi Mangione with murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO, court records show
Late Monday, Manhattan prosecutors filed murder and other charges against Luigi Nicholas Mangione in the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO, according to an online court docket.
Union dropped wage demand to 19% over four years in Canada Post negotiations: CUPW
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has reportedly dropped its wage demand to 19 per cent over four years, CUPW negotiator Jim Gallant told CTV News.
Taxpayer-funded Eras Tour tickets returned by federal minister
While tens of thousands of fans packed Vancouver's BC Place for the last shows of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour this weekend, a federal cabinet minister wasn't one of them.
Sudbury, Ont., family traumatized after hospital said loved one had been released, when in fact they had passed away
Sudbury resident Angela Vitiello says a staff member at Health Sciences North told her that her brother, Allan St. Martin, was released from the hospital late last month when, in fact, he had passed away.
What the upcoming holiday GST relief will mean for consumers
The federal government's GST break will arrive this Saturday, just in time for the last stretch of holiday shopping.
Liberal government survives third Conservative non-confidence vote
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's latest attempt to topple the minority Liberal government in a non-confidence vote failed on Monday, thanks to the New Democrats.
Katie Holmes refutes story about daughter Suri Cruise’s fortune
Katie Holmes has posted a screen grab of a Daily Mail article, which reported that her 18-year old daughter, whose father is Tom Cruise, is now a "millionaire."
Polygamous U.S. sect leader gets 50 years in prison in scheme to orchestrate sex involving children
A polygamist religious leader in the U.S. who claimed more than 20 spiritual “wives” including 10 underage girls was sentenced to 50 years in prison on Monday.
Trudeau says dealing with Trump will be 'a little more challenging' than last time
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said dealing with incoming president Donald Trump and his thundering on trade will be 'a little more challenging' than the last time.
Barrie
-
Man accused in Good Samaritan's death violates court-imposed order while in jail
Brandon Aaron has been found guilty of violating a court-imposed non-communication order while behind bars in Penetanguishene.
-
Horse-drawn buggy collision with straight truck sends 4 to hospital
Four people were taken to the hospital after a collision involving a horse-drawn carriage and a straight truck in Southgate Township near Dundalk.
-
Ontario Christmas tree season in full swing
After two years of supply challenges and growing struggles, Ontario’s Christmas tree industry expects a very good holiday season ahead.
Toronto
-
A 'traffic crisis': Economic, social impact of congestion cost Ontario more than $50B in 2024, study finds
The cost of lost economic opportunities in the GTHA due to congestion totaled more than $10 billion in 2024 and that number rose to more than $47 billion when factoring in the “social impacts” that diminish a commuter’s quality of life, according to a new report.
-
East Toronto shooting victim was a 'loving mother, daughter, cousin and niece,' says her mother
A 34-year-old woman fatally shot inside of a home in Toronto's east end on Sunday evening was a 'loving mother, daughter, cousin and niece,' says her mother.
-
N.Y. prosecutors charge Luigi Mangione with murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO, court records show
Late Monday, Manhattan prosecutors filed murder and other charges against Luigi Nicholas Mangione in the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO, according to an online court docket.
Ottawa
-
FREEZING RAIN WARNINGFREEZING RAIN WARNING Freezing rain and drizzle to coat Ottawa with ice
A freezing rain warning was issued for Ottawa Monday evening after a snowy afternoon. Environment Canada is warning of ice buildup on roads, sidewalks and other surfaces.
-
Treasury Board president accuses PSAC of sharing 'misleading information' on $1.9 billion public service pension surplus
The President of the Treasury Board is accusing a federal public service union of providing "misleading information" to its members, after the Public Service Pension Fund posted a non-permitted surplus of $1.9 billion.
-
OPP deal with collisions across eastern Ontario as wintry weather makes roads icy
Ontario Provincial Police have reported several collisions around eastern Ontario Monday as a wintry storm brings snow, freezing rain and freezing drizzle to the area.
Kitchener
-
Nurses' union concerned with PSW cuts at Guelph General Hospital
Healthcare workers are asking Guelph General Hospital to reverse its recent decision to lay off 39 personal support workers.
-
Salvation Army says mail-in donations down almost 40 per cent in Kitchener-Waterloo
The Salvation Army has seen a big drop in donations this holiday season.
-
Will he or won't he? Signs that Ford may call an early Ontario election stack up
Inside Ontario's legislature, the halls are decked, the sounds of children’s choirs singing Christmas carols waft down the corridors, and in the air there’s a feeling of an election.
London
-
London’s new mobility plan reigniting debate over Bus Rapid Transit and widening Wonderland Road
A solution to London’s worsening traffic problems might lie in a series of maps created by city engineers for inclusion in the Mobility Master Plan.
-
What is walking pneumonia, and why are medical experts talking about it?
This year, the province has seen the highest number of walking pneumonia cases since it began tracking the data in 2019 - MLHU officials are concerned about the trend.
-
Union dropped wage demand to 19% over four years in Canada Post negotiations: CUPW
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has reportedly dropped its wage demand to 19 per cent over four years, CUPW negotiator Jim Gallant told CTV News.
Windsor
-
Bill 100 introduces new police powers to deal with protests
Born out of the Ambassador Bridge Blockade in 2022, new police powers mean law enforcement can now respond much faster and harder if a similar situation were to arise again.
-
Windsor expands shelter system with overnight emergency spaces, 73 new warming centres
Windsor city council has approved turning the Windsor Homelessness and Housing Help Hub into an overnight emergency shelter and adding six dozen warming centres to the region's shelter system.
-
Windsor’s high unemployment rate doesn’t paint the whole picture: Experts
New Statistic Canada number show there were over 18,000 people still unemployed in our area and looking for work in November.
Montreal
-
'Looking for the Weinstein of Quebec': impresario Gilbert Rozon's civil trial begins
Just for Laughs founder Gilbert Rozon's civil trial for sexual assault opened Monday at the Montreal courthouse with his lawyer portraying him as the scapegoat in a hunt to find Quebec's Harvey Weinstein.
-
Montreal man retiring early after winning half of the $80 million Lotto-Max jackpot
Factor worker Jean Lamontagne, 63, will retire earlier than planned after he won $40 million on Dec. 3 in the Lotto-Max draw.
-
Search for Quebec hiker missing in Adirondacks now likely a recovery mission
Authorities in New York state say the search for a 22-year-old Quebec hiker who went missing in the Adirondacks more than a week ago is now likely a recovery mission.
Winnipeg
-
Here's how much snow fell in parts of Manitoba Sunday
A low pressure system brought snow, freezing rain and freezing drizzle to much of southern Manitoba starting Sunday.
-
Some small businesses concerned about making changes to comply with GST holiday
As the federal government prepares to lift the GST on a laundry list of items on Saturday, some small businesses are concerned making it happen will be a huge problem.
-
11 train cars derail, closing Manitoba road for hours
A train derailment near Portage la Prairie had traffic closed for several hours and almost a dozen railcars completely off the tracks.
Atlantic
-
Eastern Canada storm to impact Maritimes with high winds Thursday
An area of low pressure is forecast to develop into a strong storm as it moves from the northeastern U.S. into the St. Lawrence River Valley late Wednesday into Thursday.
-
New report states cancer comes at a high physical and financial cost to Canadians
A new report from the Canadian Cancer Society states, on average, a Canadian with cancer pays $33,000 out of their own pocket.
-
'Time of fear is behind us': Syrian-Maritimer reacts to the fall of the Syrian government
Some Syrian-Canadians are greeting the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government with a mix of hope and uncertainty.
N.L.
-
North anxious over dwindling necessities, no Christmas gifts, due to postal strike
Communities in Northern Canada say the postal strike is starting to choke off the supply and children in remote regions may not receive Christmas gifts this year.
-
Not just for your parents: Facebook's buy-and-sell platform drawing back millennials
The two-metre-tall anchor, believed to be from a century-old shipwreck, was salvaged by a fisherman in the 1980s. But last year, the 31-year-old Stapleton, who works as a navigation officer on a cargo ship, snapped it up on Facebook Marketplace.
-
'Kids are scared': Random attacks have residents of small-city N.L. shaken
Mount Pearl, near St. John's, has been the scene for three random attacks in November. Police have arrested and charged seven youth.
Calgary
-
Parents charged in toddler son's death plead guilty to manslaughter
The parents accused in the death of their 18-month-old son pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges in a Calgary courtroom Monday.
-
'Ridiculous': Calgary retailers prepare for GST holiday this week
A temporary federal tax break set to start this weekend is causing confusion for Calgary retailers – and it's also coming at a cost.
-
Syrian refugees in Calgary react to fall of Assad regime with joy, trepidation
There's joy and trepidation among Syrian refugees in Calgary in the aftermath of the ousting of the Assad regime in that country.
Edmonton
-
Family spokesman says slain Edmonton security guard had only been working 3 days
A spokesman for the family of a security guard who police say was murdered while patrolling an Edmonton apartment building last week says the man had only been on the job for three days.
-
Largest AI data centre in the world to be built in northwest Alberta
The world's largest Artificial Intelligence data centre will be built in northwest Alberta and comes with an estimated $70 billion price tag.
-
Hot Oilers prepare for parade of fellow NHL titans
The upcoming schedule of the big-wheel Edmonton Oilers features four other NHL giants in a row, starting Tuesday at Rogers Place against the recent two-time Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning.
Regina
-
Province reviewing work environment in Regina hospitals following alleged misconduct
The Government of Saskatchewan is mounting a work environment review for physicians in Regina following allegations of racism, misconduct, and a lack of professionalism.
-
Sask. Court of Appeal denies White City's request to annex 4,000 acres from RM of Edenwold
A land dispute that's been taking place just east of Regina for the past six years has been put to rest, according to the Rural Municipality (RM) of Edenwold.
-
Icy roads and streets an issue after thaw, freezing rain hits Saskatchewan
A mixture of rain and snow hit many parts of Saskatchewan over the weekend, leaving roads and sidewalks covered in ice.
Saskatoon
-
Emergency crews searching the South Saskatchewan River for body of missing man
Saskatoon police and firefighters have begun searching the South Saskatchewan River for the body of a 48-year-old man who went missing late last month.
-
Sask. RCMP lay murder charge in fatal February shooting
The Saskatchewan RCMP have charged a man with first-degree murder for a fatal February shooting in North Battleford.
-
Sask. hockey player recovering after near fatal skate accident during game
The Sask East Hockey League (SEHL) has released details of a near fatal accident at one of its games over the weekend – which saw a Churchbridge Imperials player suffer serious injuries after being struck with a skate.
Vancouver
-
B.C. soccer player injured in shooting near Ohio university campus
A 22-year-old soccer player from Langley, B.C., who plays for Ohio State University was injured by a stay bullet during an exchange of gunfire near campus Sunday, according to the school.
-
'Serial fraud artist': Crown wants 8-year jail term for fake nurse who treated nearly 1K B.C. patients
B.C. Crown prosecutors are calling for an eight-year prison term for a woman who illegally treated nearly 1,000 patients across the province while impersonating a real nurse.
-
Toxic drug deaths in October lowest in 4 years, B.C. coroners service says
Toxic drug deaths in October reached a low not seen in years, according to new preliminary data from the B.C. Coroners Service.
Vancouver Island
-
Toxic drug deaths in October lowest in 4 years, B.C. coroners service says
Toxic drug deaths in October reached a low not seen in years, according to new preliminary data from the B.C. Coroners Service.
-
B.C. selects 9 wind power projects to boost energy supply by 8 per cent a year
British Columbia has given the green light to nine wind energy projects that will boost the province's hydro-electric grid by eight per cent a year, enough to power 500,000 homes.
-
'Bombshell': Small Business BC abruptly declares bankruptcy
A decades-old non-profit with a mandate of supporting B.C.'s small businesses abruptly declared bankruptcy – resulting in dozens of employees losing their jobs weeks before Christmas.
