Saskatoon

Saskatoon family of 4 dead after highway crash

5-year-old Kamryn has been confirmed dead after a weekend crash killed her parents, Jordan and Chanda Van de Vorst, and 2-year-old brother, Miguire. A 49-year-old woman charged with impaired driving causing death made her first court appearance.

Catherine McKay, 49, charged with multiple counts of impaired driving causing death

Charges laid in fatal crash

9 years ago
Duration 1:47
Catherine McKay, 49, is charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle causing death after a Sask. family of 4 was killed

The Saskatoon family killed in a weekend highway crash has been identified as Jordan and Chanda Van de Vorst, their two-year-old son, Miguire, and their five-year-old daughter, Kamryn. 

The married couple were pronounced dead at the scene. The children were taken to hospital, where they later died.

The names of the victims were released Monday as 49-year-old Catherine McKay, charged with three counts of impaired operation of a motor vehicle causing death, made her first court appearance. Charges are pending against the accused connected to the death of five-year-old Kamryn.

McKay was remanded to Pine Grove Correctional Centre until Thursday.
Catherine McKay, charged in the fatal crash, is listed as the executive director of the Saskatoon Sports Council. (Victoria Dinh/CBC)

McKay is listed as the executive director of the Saskatoon Sports Council. She has also wrestled professionally under the name Cathie Cougar in the Canadian Wrestling Federation.

RCMP said a Hyundai Elantra car was travelling west on Highway 11 when it was hit by a Jeep Wrangler SUV, driven by McKay, attempting to cross the highway on Wanuskewin Road.

Police are still investigating.

'Great family guy'

Friends of Jordan Van de Vorst are remembering him as an accomplished amateur photographer, who loved working with others and expanding his skills.

"He was an all-around great guy," said friend and fellow photographer Colin Chatfield. "He was always willing to help people, teach people, share knowledge."
Jordan Van de Vorst holds his two-year-old son, Miguire. (Facebook)

Van de Vorst was also very committed to his family.

"He was a great family guy," said Chatfield. "He was always talking about his wife and kids, sharing pictures and talking about experiences he had with them."

Chatfield said his friend will be missed by the community.

"It's a lot worse when it's sudden," he said. "If someone's sick, you can see it coming and you can plan for it. But when it's out of the blue and unexpected, and undeserved, it's definitely more of a shock.