Maëva David, 5, was “overflowing with energy” and “capable of anything”, but her life came to a halt last Wednesday when a bus driver crashed into the daycare room where she was playing with her comrades. “With your departure too fast and which should not happen, we, as well as your big sister and your big brother, lose the company of a real ray of sunshine which devoured life”, say his parents who speak publicly for the first time since the tragedy.
Maëva was a child endowed with “outstanding physical abilities” and a “disconcerting alertness”, write Jessica Therrien and Nicolas David, in a letter they sent to The Press, Monday. They accompanied their poignant testimony with a photo of their smiling daughter, her eyes sparkling.
The couple say that Maëva was always happy to go to the Ste-Rose Educational Daycare, where six children were injured and two others were killed on Wednesday. Jacob Gauthier, 4, was the other child who lost his life after the Société de transport de Laval (STL) bus violently crashed into the daycare centre.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY FAMILY
Maeva David, 5 years old
The driver who raced into the building, Pierre Ny St-Amand, faces nine charges, including two for premeditated murder, as well as attempted murder, aggravated assault and assault causing bodily harm bodily. He deliberately ran into the building, according to the thesis put forward by the investigators.
“Daycare was for [Maëva] a real living environment, where she loved to go to play with her friends”, testify the parents of the child who loved the music of the dashing Cowboys.
“She will continue to shine in her own way through what she has taught us, day by day, through the indelible memories she bequeaths to us as well as through the lessons learned from the unspeakable event that made her little heart stop… but that won’t prevent her from remaining our little Shooting star for all time “.
“As the title of her other favorite song says that she asked to listen to every day on the way to daycare: your loved ones as well as all theAmerica crying. »
“Your gestures touch us a lot”
Jessica Therrien and Nicolas David confirm that a ceremony in honor of Maëva will take place soon. They say they feel “deep pain and affection” for all those affected directly or indirectly by the tragedy.
“We would like to thank all those who have provided support, through their rapid interventions, their generous actions or their benevolent discretion. Your gestures touch us a lot and we are grateful to you, ”they say.
Maëva was a child who always had the word to make others laugh, they say in their one-page letter. “The days, according to her and in her company, were “too great” as only she could say so well. “.
“Maëva spent at times more time in the air than on the ground, during her travels, while being capable of attention and a deep calm during her activities”, they add.
“She had everything to become a committed and multi-talented citizen. »