Family pleads for answers after Ottawa teen critically injured in Carling Avenue accident

Incident details

15-year-old Audrey Cameron is in critical condition following a tragic accident on Carling Avenue near Saigon Court in Ottawa. The accident took place on Monday around 8:30 a.m. when Audrey, a Grade 10 student at Nepean High School, was on her way to school. Riding e-scooters with her brother along the south sidewalk, Audrey attempted to cross at a traffic light when she was struck by an eastbound vehicle.

Her uncle, Ian Cameron, told the Ottawa Citizen’s Blair Crawford that two cars had stopped in the right and middle lanes, giving Audrey the signal to cross. However, a car traveling in the left-hand lane struck her, throwing her over the vehicle. The intersection, located just before Carling Avenue passes under the Queensway, has limited visibility for eastbound traffic due to a curve, with warning signs about the restricted sightlines.

Family’s vigil and hope for recovery

Audrey’s injuries are severe, including a broken pelvis, a fractured left knee, and a traumatic brain injury. She was placed in a medically induced coma for 36 hours to reduce swelling in her brain. Although she has started showing signs of improvement, she remains unable to speak.

Her family, deeply shaken, has maintained a constant bedside vigil at the hospital, taking shifts to ensure she is never alone. “We want to make sure there’s always someone with her,” said Ian.

“She’s a smart, thoughtful kid, and an animal lover,” Ian shared, adding that the family had planned to get her a kitten just before the accident. He vowed that Audrey will certainly get her pet when she recovers.

Plea for information and community support

The Cameron family is now seeking answers, urging anyone who may have witnessed the accident or has dashcam footage from the area to contact Ottawa Police. They are not looking to place blame but rather to understand how the tragedy unfolded. Ian took to social media, posting a heartfelt plea for anyone with information to come forward and help piece together the events that led to Audrey’s injury.

“We’re not making any assumptions,” Ian said. “We just want to know what happened and get some clarity.”

In addition to their plea for witnesses, the family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover Audrey’s medical expenses and anticipated long-term rehabilitation costs.

Police investigation

The Ottawa Police Service’s Fatal Collision Investigation Unit is leading the investigation and asking witnesses who have not yet spoken to police to come forward. Investigators are particularly interested in dashcam footage from drivers in the area during the time of the collision.

Legal resources

For those seeking more information and legal guidance about pedestrian accidents in Ontario, the dedicated Ottawa pedestrian accident lawyers at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP are here to support you.

We understand the overwhelming challenges you face after a pedestrian accident and are committed to fighting for your rights. Our compassionate and experienced personal injury lawyers offer free consultations to guide you through the legal process and ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve. Your recovery is our priority.