Two weeks after a tragic collision claimed the life of a two-year-old in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, a touching moment between surviving family members has provided a ray of hope amidst the sorrow. Wendy Hinan was finally able to embrace her newborn daughter, Verena, for the first time during an emotional encounter on Tuesday, as shared by the family’s legal representative, Darcy Merkur.
Merkur mentioned that tears and joy filled the room during this poignant reunion, emphasizing the significance of Wendy’s long-awaited moment to meet her daughter. Despite the challenges ahead, both Wendy and Verena are expected to pull through. Following the accident, they have been receiving medical care at separate hospitals in Toronto, with Wendy at St. Michael’s Hospital and Verena at Sick Kids Hospital.
The heartbreaking incident occurred when Hinan, seven months pregnant at the time, was driving with her two-year-old son on January 7. Tragically, their vehicle was struck head-on by a van that veered into oncoming traffic, leading to an emergency C-section for Wendy and critical conditions for both mother and baby. Regrettably, her son Devereaux did not survive despite efforts at Sick Kids Hospital.
While the family has chosen not to engage directly with the media, updates and photos have been relayed through Merkur, who is handling their legal affairs. Merkur mentioned that although the baby faced a period without oxygen resulting in a significant head injury, she is showing resilience under the circumstances. Wendy is expected to have a substantial recovery, albeit with potential long-term mobility issues that could be permanent.
Regarding the collision, Sault Ste. Marie Police confirmed the death of the 43-year-old van driver due to injuries sustained in the crash. Merkur clarified that this fatality is unlikely to alter the investigation or the legal course for the Hinan family. He expressed the family’s gratitude towards the medical teams at St. Michael’s and Sick Kids Hospitals, as well as the donors supporting them through their GoFundMe campaign, which has raised close to $275,000 to date.
Merkur emphasized the importance of the funds raised for the family’s future needs, providing essential resources for unaddressed issues beyond their ongoing legal claims. The Hinan family remains appreciative of the support received during this challenging period.
