Hundreds gather for vigil in honour of mother, 3 children killed in Brampton crash

Hundreds gathered for a vigil on Sunday evening in honour of a mother and her three children killed in a tragic crash in Brampton last week.

The victims have been identified as Karolina Ciasullo and her children Klara, 6, Lilianna, 4, and Mila, 1.

"Our family was perfect, we had everything," Ciasullo's sister, Ania Martin, said in an emotional speech at the vigil. 

"Our relationship was like no other." 

Martin said her sister saw their parents every day — either she would go to their house, or they would go to hers. And Ciasullo's children loved their grandparents "so much," Martin​​​ said. 

"We would always be together at every occasion, big or small." 

Sunday's event, dubbed "Light Up The Sky Vigil," was held in Caledon, the victims' hometown. Four large white balloons were released into the sky in honour of the four victims. 

Mourners also lit candles and held them during the event. 

"A part of us all has been lost forever," Martin said. 

"Our lives will never be the same." 

Natalie Talj, one of Ciasullo's close friends, described her as "kind and beautiful," someone who left an impact on everyone who knew her. 

"Not only was Karolina an incredible woman, daughter, sister, friend, wife and mother, she was a beloved teacher by all the students," Talj said through tears.

Talj described their friendship as a "sisterhood," adding that they were "lucky to have that special bond." 

"There are no words for this tragedy," she said. "We will continue to celebrate Kar until we can all meet again." 

"The only piece of mind we have right now is knowing Karolina is with her babies." 

Caledon Mayor Allan Thompson also spoke at the event, sharing his condolences with Ciasullo's husband, family and friends. 

"May God hold you and your family at this painful moment," Thompson said. 

"Although our hearts are heavy, we don't know fully what you're going through." 

Meanwhile, well-wishers have left cut flowers, candles, balloons, notes and stuffed animals against a metal fence near the intersection of Torbram Road and Countryside Road — the site of the multi-vehicle crash.

A second vigil, which started around 8:00 p.m. Sunday, was held at the crash site. 

SIU investigating 

Peel police's major collision bureau and Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) continue to investigate Thursday's crash.

Peel police said on Saturday that they expect charges to be laid. A man, 20, who suffered serious injuries in the fatal crash, remains in hospital in serious condition. Neither police nor the SIU have released his name. 

A preliminary investigation by the SIU found that a Peel police officer spotted a blue Infiniti travelling eastbound on Countryside Drive shortly after noon on Thursday.

Moments later, the car slammed into a Volkswagen Atlas SUV, sending the van careening into a light pole, which fell on top of it.

Karolina Ciasullo and her three children were in the van. Klara, 6, died at the scene. Karolina and  Lilianna, 4, died in Brampton Civic Hospital.

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.

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 says eight investigators and one collision reconstructionist have been assigned to the case. Investigators have also interviewed more than a dozen civilian witnesses who were at the site of the collision and retrieved video footage from various sources.

Brampton mayor blaming a reckless driver 

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown is blaming a reckless driver with a suspended licence for the crash.

Brown shared a video on social media late Thursday that allegedly shows the driver, who appears to be unresponsive, lurching through an intersection as onlookers try to intervene.

It was filmed at least two days before the fatal crash.

Ontario Provincial Police confirmed to CBC Toronto that the video was reported to them on Tuesday, June 16.