Neighbours and loved ones gathered Friday evening for a vigil to mourn the death of Jaxson Mansfield-O’Brey, a five-year-old boy whose life was cut short by a collision with a dump truck in the Overbrook neighbourhood.
The
fatal collision
occurred on the 300 block of Presland Road at around 3:40 p.m. on Oct. 15.
The residential street is often quiet, but recent construction has brought more traffic, including large vehicles, to the area. Children also often play outside in the neighbourhood, which has a nearby park.
It was near where Jaxson died that around 70 community members and loved ones gathered, holding candles and each other. Other children showed each other a photo of Jaxson, discussing how young he was.
Jaxson had been a student at nearby St. Michael’s Catholic Elementary School. Before many in the crowd arrived, Catholic nuns paid respect to the memorial set up at a tree near where Jaxson was struck by the truck while riding his bicycle. Later, a women who said she knew Jaxson’s father led a recitation of the Lord’s Prayer.
“I know we are all mourning. It is very sad,” she said.
Ohers spoke about the life of Jaxson Mansfield-O’Brey. Children who knew him spoke of his kindness while acknowledging it “didn’t have to end like this.”
Throughout the evening, parents and young children approached a photo of Jaxson that had been leaned up against the tree, with other families placing bouquets of flowers.
Residents of the neighbourhood
had previously told the Ottawa Citizen they hoped speed bumps or other speed-reduction measures would be installed on Presland Road to prevent tragedies like this from happening again.
Ismael Awaleh, president of the Overbrook Community Association, told the Ottawa Citizen there needed to be more safety infrastructure within the community.
“As a community association, we send condolences to the family,” he added.
Rawlson King, the city councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe and a resident of the community, was also at the vigil.
“It’s really heartbreaking when we lose a child in our community, especially a child that has been so loved,” he said.
King noted that the evening was not about politicians, elected officials or policy, but said “work needs to be done.”
He said he would be approaching the rest of city council next week with a written inquiry regarding safety standards for construction workers, particularly with neighborhoods densifying and undergoing more construction activity.
King also said the Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre would be providing supports to community members, loved ones and residents affected by the tragedy as soon as next week.
Representatives of the family said an additional public vigil was to be held Saturday night near the family home on Prince Albert Street.
The Ottawa Police Service said the investigation into the fatal crash was ongoing.
With files from Natasha Baldin
