Parents devastated by the loss of their daughter insist on the importance of wearing a seat belt, a simple habit that “could have saved her” from an accident that occurred while she was preparing to celebrate the New Year with her family.
“When our son called us to tell us the news, we collapsed, it hurt so much… We had just passed in front of the scene barely five minutes earlier,” says Nick Polson, a sob in his voice. .
His daughter Angelica Cheezo, 32, was a passenger in a car that left the road and rolled over several times on Route 113, near Desmaraisville, in Nord-du-Québec, on December 28.
Not wearing her seat belt, she died instantly, according to the young woman’s father. Two of the three other occupants of the vehicle, friends, were seriously injured.
A vigil was organized in her memory in the days following the tragedy, in Waswanipi, where she lived.
Photo provided by Nick Polson
“We try to remind people to wear their seat belts, regardless of their age. It could have saved her…” laments Mr. Polson.
Drunk Driving
Mme Cheezo was heading to his home in Waswanipi to celebrate the New Year when the tragedy occurred. It is an indigenous community located halfway between Lebel-sur-Quévillon and Chibougamau.
According to the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), the man who was behind the wheel was impaired by alcohol when he swerved. He was arrested after his condition was stabilized at the hospital for blood tests.
“But it can take months before we have the results,” explains Hugues Beaulieu, spokesperson for the SQ.
The 32-year-old woman was the mother of two daughters aged 14 and 15.
Photo taken from Angelica Cheezo’s Facebook
Asked about the driver’s state of intoxication, the victim’s family preferred not to comment on the situation.
“I have nothing against him, he was a good friend of Angelica. I’m sure he blames himself and will think twice before getting behind the wheel again,” says Mr. Polson.
A star in the sky
In addition to her parents, Angelica Cheezo leaves to mourn her two sisters, her two daughters aged 14 and 15, as well as dozens of friends.
A few days after her death, many people gathered in front of the daycare where she worked to pay her last respects during a candlelight vigil.
According to the victim’s father, a single star shone in the sky when his loved ones paid their respects.
Photo provided by Nick Polson
“She was so endearing and generous with everyone, people wanted to return the love she gave them all these years,” said her father.
“That night there was only one star shining in the sky. We say to ourselves that it was she who was observing us from up there,” he adds.