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Tuesday, March 11, 2025

2nd victim of Laval daycare crash remembered as ‘ray of sunshine’ by her family

Date:

Montreal

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A city of Laval bus drove straight into a daycare last week, killing two children and injuring six others. One of the children was identified last week. The second’s name was released today by her parents.

Parents of Maƫva David describe her love of daycare in statement

Nancy Wood Ā· CBC News

Ā·

People near a makeshift memorial on a snowbank. In the background a boarded up daycare.

A Laval transit bus crashed into a daycare, killing two children and injuring six more. Today, the parents of one of the victims released her name and photo. (Ivanoh Demers/Radio-Canada)

WARNING: This article contains distressing details.

Five days after a Laval transit bus smashed into a daycare, killing two children and injuring six,Ā the second young victim has been identified.

In a statement, the parents of MaĆ«vaĀ DavidĀ said they and her older brother and sister have lost “a ray of sunshine, who devoured life.”

“Overflowing with energy, she seemed to spend more time in the air than on the ground but she was able to be concentrated and calm during her activities,” the letter from Jessica Therrien and Nicolas David said.

MaĆ«va adored going to her daycare, they said. “It was her world, a place she loved to go to play with her friends.”

Last Wednesday, Pierre Ny St-Amand, a Laval transit bus driver, plowed his bus into theĀ Garderie Ɖducative de Sainte-Rose at around 8:30 a.m., just as parents were dropping off their children.

An agitated St-Amand, 51, was subdued by parents at the scene and people rushed to try to extricate children from the rubble.

St-AmandĀ was arrested andĀ charged with two counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault and assault with a weapon causing bodily harm. His next court appearance is Friday.

Last week, the other victim was identified as four-and-a-half year-old Jacob Gauthier. His funeral will be held at the Sainte-Rose-de-Lima Church on Thursday.

Sadness and gratitude

In the letter released today, Therrien and David saidĀ a special service will be held for MaĆ«va at the Sainte-Rose-de-Lima Church as well, although no date was given.

They saidĀ their daughter would have grown up to be an active and involved member of societyĀ with many talents.

Little girl with long hair smiles at the camera.

Maƫva David, 5, has been identified as the second victim of a crash at a Laval daycare on Wednesday, Feb. 8. (Submitted by Jessica Therrien and Nicolas David)

They said they will treasure the memories of her and will alwaysĀ rememberĀ the joy she found in everyday life.

They also said they wanted to express their deep heartache at her loss and their affection for all those who have been touched by the violent incident.

“We also want to thank all those who helped out with support, quick action, generosity and caring discretion,” they said. “Your deeds have touched us and we are grateful.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nancy Wood is a copy editor at CBC Montreal. She has worked as a national TV reporter and radio host for CBC. She began her career covering politics for the Montreal Gazette and the Toronto Star and was a senior writer in Maclean’s Magazine’s Parliamentary bureau.

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