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Published on October 25, 2016 | by Julia Colavecchia     Photography by Anna Akoto

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University of Guelph-Humber Honours Lauren Bouchard After Fatal Crash

The University of Guelph-Humber staff and students lost a member of their community, Lauren Bouchard, in a devastating crash in Brampton, Ont. on Thanksgiving Day.

Guelph-Humber faculty and students have been putting together memorials and tributes to honour Bouchard.

According to Bouchard’s good friend Matthew Hayes, 24, the candlelight vigil held on Oct. 15, 2016 was for all of the victims involved in the fatal crash that happened at Bovaird Drive and Gillingham Street.

The event was organized so that family and friends could mourn their loved ones and share memories.

Hayes said two days later the university and Humber College held another memorial service in front of the Learning Resource Commons where the flag was lowered at half-mast to honour Bouchard.

Fourth-year early childhood studies student Christina Filice said yet another event is planned in honour of Bouchard.

On Oct. 26, 2016 Guelph-Humber will host a balloon release event from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for early childhood studies students and staff. They will be encouraged to write messages to say goodbye to Bouchard.

Hayes said he met Bouchard during their two-year early childhood education program at Humber College, and they both are now early childhood studies students in their fourth year at Guelph-Humber.

“I think everyone should know how nice of a person Lauren was and how she could drop everything to be there for you regardless of her situation. If anyone had the opportunity to meet her, hold those memories because they are special,” Hayes said via Facebook.

Guelph-Humber early childhood studies student Toni-Anne Puran said she had a strong friendship with Bouchard in two years knowing her. Puran said she has gone to all of the memorial events so far.

“I am very appreciative of everything staff and students at the university have been doing to help not just me, but all of the people who knew Lauren, with the grieving process,” Puran said via Facebook.

A Peel police news release said that a second vehicle was racing a 1998 Pontiac Trans Am driven by 49-year-old Calisto Mendonca.

“It is very likely that the other driver involved is aware of this collision,” Sgt. Gary Carty said in a news release.

Police are still looking for the driver of the second vehicle involved in the crash that killed Mendonca, Bouchard, 24-year-old Brian McGinnis and 16-year-old Michelle Bouchard.

Peel Regional Police officer Sgt. Josh Colley said, “…from a police standpoint it is heart breaking and tragic to deal with unfortunate circumstances where members of our community lose their lives due to street racing.”

A GoFundMe page was organized by a friend of McGinnis, Jonathan Bruneau, and it raised $15,765 towards memorial funds.  The donations will be split between the Bouchard and McGinnis families.

Police are urging anybody who might have information about the second unidentified vehicle to contact investigators with the Major Collision Bureau at 905-453-2121 ext. 3710.

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About the Author

is a journalist who loves entertaining people and following the latest celebrity gossip. She hopes to one day be the host of Entertainment Tonight.



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