Family and friends will have the chance to pay their respects to Luke West and Jersey Mitchell on Saturday and Sunday
Funeral services and visitation will be held in the coming days for two of the six victims killed in last month’s horrific crash on McKay Road in south Barrie.
City police are continuing to investigate the fatal crash that killed Haley Marin, Curtis King, Luke West, Jersey Mitchell, River Wells and Jason Ono-O’Connor, all of whom were in their early 20s. They had been reported missing in the hours before the crash scene was discovered on McKay Road around 2am on Sunday August 28.
According to a family member of one of the victims, the car fell into a large hole – called by the city a “tunnel access shaft” and linked to residential development taking place in the area – and then took fire.
Investigators determined the collision happened on McKay Road, between County Road 27 and Veterans Drive, shortly after 6 a.m. on Saturday August 27. Police said they believe the group was heading to a nearby Georgian Downs casino in neighboring Innisfil.
An obituary of West, 22, says he was the son of David and Susan (née Davis) West and younger brother of Mark.
West was well known in the local sports community and excelled at lacrosse. Last summer, he was the defensive coach of Barrie’s minor midget (U17) team.
“Big Poppa (John West) will guide his journey and make sure Luke plays celestial lacrosse with some of the best to ever play the game,” his obituary reads.
Known as “Westy” to those close to him, he was an “avid” lacrosse player and coach. West joined Barrie lacrosse at age three, “often complaining to his dad that they didn’t really play lacrosse, just Hokey Pokey with sticks,” his obituary says.
West won five provincial lacrosse championships, twice becoming provincial champion of the Ontario Minor Field Lacrosse League. In 2015, he captained Barrie’s first midget (U17) lacrosse team to qualify for the Ontario Lacrosse Association’s “prestigious” “A” qualifiers. He first played for the Barrie Bombers Junior ‘C’ team as a minor midget at 14 and was ‘thrilled to finally be able to play on the same team as his big brother, Mark’, his obituary reads. .
But West’s interests went far beyond lacrosse.
“He had an emerging green thumb and was always willing to pitch in and help his mother with the garden, usually so he could claim a sunny spot in the garden for his own plants,” his obituary reads. “Luke was an old soul wrapped in a young body. He was driven, tough when needed, compassionate, kind and caring and he always had your back. He will always be remembered for his incredible smile that would light up the room.”
Visitation for West will be held at Adams Funeral Home, located in Barrie at 445 St. Vincent Street on Saturday, September 10. from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 11 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The funeral will take place on Monday, September 12 from 11 a.m. in the chapel, followed by a reception from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
An obituary for Mitchell, 21, says she was the daughter of Erin (Jackson) and Mark Mitchell, as well as the older sister of Hunter and Benson.
“Jersey was a beautiful person, inside and out. She was full of life and made the most of her short time with us,” her obituary reads. “She loved her family and was especially protective of her younger brothers. She also loved her friends and always wanted to cheer them up and make them feel better if they were down for any reason. Jersey was kind and caring and, although she hadn’t chosen a career path, she knew she wanted to do something that helped people.”
Her obituary also states that she had a “rare combination of princess and tomboy. … She loved the outdoors, but she always had to have her nails and makeup done right before she went hunting or fishing. She was glamorous , but without any pretense. And she was caring but fiery and outspoken when needed. If she loved you, you knew it. But if you hurt her or someone she loved, you knew it too.
Visitation for Mitchell will be held at Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home, located in downtown Barrie at 30 Worsley Street, on Saturday, September 10 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., with a funeral celebration. life to be held in the chapel on Sunday, September 11 from 2 p.m., followed by a reception in the living room.
A celebration of life for Marin, 21, is scheduled for Friday, September 16 from 3-6 p.m. at Traditions Banquet Hall, located in Barrie at 142 John St. Marin was the daughter of Kimberly More and Eric Marin, sister of Aidan and Cody Marine.
“Haley was quiet and unassuming,” her obituary says. “Pursuing school for community and youth justice while working in the care sector. A bright light for those going through troubled waters. A confidant to many. A strong advocate for mental health and addictions. The Haley’s infectious smile, sassy spark and caring demeanor captured the hearts of all who knew her, a firstborn, who bonded in love for eternity.
GoFundMe accounts have also been created for crash victims. A fundraiser for Mitchell’s memorial raised more than $12,000 from more than 100 donors toward its goal of $16,000 late Friday afternoon.
A group fundraiser for the families of the six victims, called Barrie Community Support Fund and organized by Ripple of Kindness Barrie, raised nearly $85,000, far exceeding its goal of $60,000. Friday afternoon, there were 925 donations. The money will help affected families cover funeral costs.