Mother, 3 daughters laid to rest as charges brought in fatal Brampton crash

A mother and her three young daughters who were killed in a horrific crash in Brampton last week were laid to rest at a funeral on Thursday, the same day the driver alleged to have caused the crash now faces multiple charges.

Friends and family remembered them as "beautiful souls" that left an impact on everyone around them. 

"Despite the pain and heartache we feel, we were blessed to have these beautiful souls in our lives," said Connie Ciasullo, the girls' aunt. 

"While we will never know why these beyond beautiful lives were taken from this world so soon, we do know that they will never be taken from our hearts, or our minds, or our prayers." 

Karolina Ciasullo, 37, and her children Klara, 6, Lilianna, 4, and Mila, 1, were killed last week when their Volkswagen Atlas SUV was struck by another vehicle.

The Ministry of the Attorney General confirmed to CBC News that Brady Robertson, the 20-year-old driver of the other vehicle, is now facing multiple charges. 

"To say there are no words is not an entire truth," Connie Ciasullo said through tears at the service. 

"There are words, words that describe the happiness that they brought to our lives, and the places they held and will forever hold in our hearts." 

Karolina Ciasullo was an elementary school teacher with the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board, who was remembered as a beloved teacher by many. 

Dozens were in tears as Connie Ciasullo remembered the moments she will always treasure with her nieces and sister-in-law, including Klara's smile and Lilianna's hugs. 

The funeral, held at St. Eugene de Mazenod church in Brampton around 1 p.m., was closed to the public, though it was streamed online and the audio was played to mourners who sat in chairs outside the building.

"We don't know why they had to go to Jesus so soon," said Father Wojciech Stangel at the service. 

"It is not as if it has all ended; their lives have just taken a different shape, a different form." 

The tragedy set off a wave of grief in the community last week. Officials including Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and Premier Doug Ford were among those offering their condolences.

Michael Ciasullo didn't speak at the service for his wife and daughters. He and his sister walked out arm-in-arm, leaning against one another as they left the church following the service. 

His sister described Michael Ciasullo as one of the "strongest people" she knows — and that it's the memory of his wife and daughters that will give him strength to move ahead. 

"Love lived at Michael's and Karolina's home," Connie Ciasullo said.

"I was in awe of all that love, and was grateful that they were surrounded by it." 

Driver facing 4 charges 

The driver has been charged with four counts of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death, the Ministry of the Attorney General told CBC News Thursday. 

Robertson is set to appear in court next on July 23.

Peel police's major collisions bureau and Ontario's police watchdog, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), are investigating the crash.

However, a preliminary investigation from the SIU found that a Peel police officer had "observed" a blue Infiniti coupe travelling eastbound on Countryside Drive shortly after noon before it slammed into the SUV.

The SUV then careened into a light pole, which fell on top of it.

SIU spokeswoman Monica Hudon would not say whether a police chase was underway before the crash, or what transpired in the moments leading up to it.

The SIU, which is called when there are deaths, serious injuries or allegations of sexual assault in cases involving police, invoked its mandate to investigate soon afterwards.