'We're fighters' says sister of London mom facing long recovery after Monday morning crash
Police says driver accused of causing the crash was impaired
The sister of a London woman who was severely injured in an early morning crash Monday said her sister is a fighter, and she remains optimistic despite a long road to recovery ahead.
Shona Ivany was driving past Blessed Sacrament Catholic School on Oxford Street at about 7 a.m. Monday, when a speeding truck ran a red light at the T-intersection at McNay Street, broadsiding her vehicle and flipping it.
"It makes me sick. I've watched the [surveillance] video, and I think of how she is going to have that with her for the rest of her life," said Nicki Kranidis, Ivany's sister.
"There was nothing she could do," Kranidis said.
Surveillance footage from a nearby business shows the exact moment a truck that police allege was driven by Mitchell Gauthier-Neville, 30, of London, went through the intersection and crashed into Ivany's vehicle.
WATCH | Surveilance video of serious crash at Oxford and McNay Streets:
Gauthier-Neville was arrested and charged with multiple offences, including impaired driving and racing.
Ivany, who is a mother, was found unconscious inside her vehicle and was taken to hospital after being cut out by firefighters.
Kranidis said her sister had multiple fractures, including a broken collarbone. Ivany had emergency surgery on Monday, and another surgery was scheduled for Tuesday.
"I was preparing myself for the worst. When they told me she was going into emergency surgery, but she was awake and aware, it was a sigh of relief," Kranidis said. "It's simply a miracle. It really is, the fact that she's not paralyzed, she doesn't have brain damage."
Accused facing multiple charges
London police said Tuesday they charged Gauthier-Neville with the following:
- Impaired operation causing bodily harm exceeding blood alcohol concentration.
- Dangerous operation causing bodily harm.
- Race a motor vehicle.
- Red light – fail to stop.
- Driver – fail to properly wear seat belt.
- Obstruct plate.
For Kranidis, knowing the person accused in the crash has been arrested is of little comfort.
"She was simply going to work, and some person that didn't care about anybody else but themselves, not only were they [impaired], but they were [speeding] with not a care in the world, changed her life, possibly forever."
What is comforting, however, is the "overwhelming" support her family has received — both emotional and financial.
At the time of publication, more than $12,000 had been raised for the family in just hours, and hundreds of messages of support and solidarity poured in through social media and other channels.
"I don't even know why I'm getting this emotional," Kranidis said through tears. "But, to know how much support she's getting, it's amazing."
Money raised to support Ivany during her recovery is coming in through a GoFundMe page created by Denise Lalonde, a close family friend of the sisters.
"It's been incredible and heartwarming to see the kindness and generosity of complete strangers who are rallying around somebody who really needs the help right now," Lalonde said.
Lalonde said she started the fundraiser because Ivany, who is self-employed, will be unable to work while she recovers.
"When people are in crisis, we all want to help. One of the first things that entered my mind after her wellbeing was, how is she going to meet her financial obligations," Lalonde said. "This was one thing that I could do."
As for Ivany's recovery, Kranidis says what the future holds is unclear, but the tight-knit family will be by her side every step of the way.
"She's strong, and we're fighters in this family."
Police are asking the public for dashcam or surveillance video that includes a grey Dodge Ram truck that could help with the investigation.
The investigation remains ongoing. Gauthier-Neville, who was released on bail, is scheduled to appear in court in early May.
