Photo: Facebook

Christine Desgroseilliers

The family of a young nurse who died in a tragic accident on Highway 33 spoke in court in Kelowna Friday morning about the positive impact she had on everyone she met in her short time on earth, leaving a few dry eyes in the courtroom of judgment.

On the evening of March 21, 2023, a Ford Escape coming down from Big White crossed the center line on Highway 33 between Cardinal Creek and Goudie roads, colliding head-on with a Dodge Ram.

Christine Desgroseilliers, just two weeks shy of her 27th birthday, was a passenger in the Escape. She was seriously injured in the accident and later died in hospital. The driver of the Escape, Tara Eby, and two people in the Ram were also injured.

On Friday morning, Eby pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and was fined $2,000.

During the hearing, Eby’s attorney, Wade Jensen, noted that Eby was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs on the day of the crash, and witnesses did not report any other instances of bad driving by Eby prior to the crash. Eby told paramedics that he may have briefly dozed off while driving, leading to the tragic accident.

The charge, under the Motor Vehicle Act, was not laid until April 2024 and Jensen said Eby tried to plead guilty as soon as possible to take responsibility.

“The $2,000 fine in no way reflects the tragic loss of life caused by the crime. If that is the measure, I have no sanction available to match it,” Judge Andrew Tam said as he handed down the sentence.

“It has just begun to spread its wings”

Christine’s family, traveling from Ontario and the Yukon, packed the small courtroom during Eby’s hearing and spoke about Christine through several victim impact statements.

Christine graduated in nursing in Ontario in 2018 and worked in neurosurgery and emergency units in Ottawa. She then continued her training to become a travel nurse and in August 2022, began working in several remote First Nations communities on the BC coast.

He had just spent a two-week stint working in the small village of KitKatla when he decided to visit his nursing friend Eby for a day of fun at Big White before returning home to Ottawa.

Her last day on earth appeared to be a beautiful one at the ski resort, according to her social media posts, said Christine’s mother, Anne.

“This trauma has been an incredibly heartbreaking blow to all of us. Christine brought fun and laughter with her wherever she went,” Anne and father Andy wrote in a victim impact statement. “Her smile and enthusiasm for life was both contagious and exciting. She was always looking for other opportunities and ready to get out there.

“She was just starting to spread her wings, experience life in other places and make her own way… It’s so painful for us to know she’ll never get married, never have kids, never be a fun and active aunt to her nieces. and grandchildren, never to grow up with her half-brother and half-sisters, and never to be with us and support us as we grow old.”

An RCMP victim services worker who read the statement in court had to stop to hold back tears as she read the last line of the statement: “Dear Christine, we will love and miss each other and think of you everyday and look forward to hugging you again in heaven. Love always, Mom and Dad.”

As an organ donor, Christine helped save or improve the lives of six people after they died.

“There is comfort in knowing that Christine’s young, healthy organs were able to help six other people and enjoy life because of her,” her parents said. “Her healthy life and healthy body made her proud.”

“Most Favorite Person in the World”

A plaque honoring Christine’s life now hangs in the emergency department of the Ottawa hospital where she once worked. In addition, loved ones helped raise money to donate blanket warmers to the three BC First Nations communities where she worked, as well as to create a scholarship in her honor at a Christian camp on Thetis Island where he once attended.

“She will not be forgotten there,” her parents said in their statement.

Christine’s brother Daniel and her aunt Jane Wightman also spoke during Friday’s hearing about their special bond. Jane said her relationship with Christine was “the most treasured of my life,” and Christine had planned to spend the summer of 2022 with her in the Yukon, hiking and canoeing.

“I often watched her being so kind, so beautiful, so talented. I was in awe of her,” Jane said. “She was my favorite person in the world and I love her and miss her so much.”

In handing down the fine, Judge Tam said he “came to know what a special person (Christine) was and how she was loved and admired by those in her circle”.

Following Christine’s family’s tearful statements in court, Tara Eby also fought through tears to apologize.

“Not a day goes by that I don’t think about the accident and how much I caused,” she said.

“Christine was truly a beautiful soul and her life was taken too soon due to my actions… I hope Christine’s family and loved ones can one day heal from this tragedy, I am so sorry.”