Police identify Mississauga woman charged with death of 10-year-old boy in ‘tragic’ QEW crash

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Published April 27, 2023 at 9:11 am

Robert and Rosalie Thomas from Beamsville with their twin boys Ethan and Lucas. A Go Fund Me has been started for the family after a crash on the QEW cost Lucas his life. Mother Rosalie and brother Ethan escaped with just minor injuries. (Photo: Go Fund Me)

Police have identified the Mississauga woman charged with the death of a 10-year-old boy in a tragic crash last month as the community continues to show an outpour of support for the victim’s family.

Ten-year-old Lucas Thomas died on March 30 after police say the driver of a grey Jeep crashed into the vehicle he was riding in on the QEW at Tufford Road in Vineland.

The family says he was pronounced dead around 9:00 p.m. Lucas’ mother Rosalie Thomas survived the crash, as did Lucas’ twin brother Ethan.

Police said on Wednesday (April 26) that 31-year-old Mississauga woman Victoria Bakker has been charged with Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle Causing Death, and Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle Causing Bodily Harm.

The driver was not injured in the crash, police said. None of the allegations have been proven in court.

A GoFundMe page to help support the Thomas family has raised more than $39,000 of a $10,000 goal.

“Lucas was on the Autism Spectrum and such an inquisitive bright young boy. He will be deeply missed at family events, his daycare and with his classmates,” wrote Kevin Krestinski, the brother-in-law who says he created the fundraiser after members of the community asked for a way to show their support for the Thomas family.

Krestinski also praised “the wonderful EMT’s, Police and attendants did everything they could to save our boy.”

At the time of the accident, which saw the Thomas SUV hit from behind, causing it to hit another vehicle in front of it, OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said all QEW Fort Erie bound lanes were closed for the collision investigation until about 1 a.m. Traffic was diverted to Ontario Street in Beamsville.

Schmidt called the crash “tragic,” saying “our hearts go out to those family members and loved ones of this 10-year-old boy.”

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