Friends of the three students killed in Hanmer by a vehicle collision last weekend said they were unforgettable people.
Jazmine Houle, 15, Steven Philippe, 16, and Caitlin Skye Jelley, 15, were killed early Sunday morning as they were walking along Municipal Road 80 after a vehicle lost control.
Nicolas Piovesan of Val Therese has been charged with three counts of criminal negligence causing death, three counts of impaired care and control causing death, three counts of fail to remain causing death, and one count of exceeding 80 milligrams of blood alcohol content.
An emotional Alyssa Talevi said her friend, Jazmine Houle, was exceptional.
“She always stuck up for what she believed in,” said Talvei, 14, outside of Confederation Secondary School Tuesday afternoon. Both Houle and Philippe were students there.
“She was a great friend. We hung out quite a bit. We played basketball together,” she added.
Talevi said the death of her friend and Philippe was a shock.
“I didn't believe it a first. It hit me next day when I realized they were gone. We would never see them again.”
Matthew St. Jean, 15, knew both Houle and Philippe from school. He said Phillipe was a great athlete.
“He was an awesome hockey goalie. He was an all-around athlete. His favourite sports were hockey, basketball and football. He was a natural athlete. He had potential I thought,” he said.
Philippe's hockey coach, Luc Castonguay, said the young man was everyone's super star.
“He will always have a place in my heart,” said a tearful Castonguay outside the Val Est Mall in Val Caron.
“I coached Steven three days a week. He was a goalie. He wore the number one on his jersey for good reason, because he was number one in a lot of ways,” he said.
“While he is up there (in heaven) I am sure he will make his dream, the NHL.”
Castonguay said Philippe's death was a tragedy.
“There should be more police presence on the streets. Not have we lost three lives but the man who drove the car lost his life too. His remaining life will be ruined.”
He said there should be more education about drinking and driving in the school system before people are able to get their drivers license.
“They have to be aware of the consequences of their actions.”
Josh Murphy, 14, knew both Houle and Philippe.
“I played football with Steven. Jazmine I knew through school. I was supposed to go to her birthday party just before the accident,” he said.
“I woke up and heard about it. It is not the thing you want to hear about, especially on Fathers Day. I think about the families.”
Murphy said Philippe was very athletic. “He was a great goalie. He knew what he was doing. He was one of the best guys on the football junior team by far. I knew him for two years,” he said.
“It is tragic, still (this accident). You just have to learn how to live with it. I am more worried about most of my friends. They are closer to him that I was. I have done my crying, it is done for me. I won't forget them. I have to live with it.”
Alyssa Huard, 15, knew both girls. She knew Jelley for one and half years. She attended St. Charles College.
“She really was an outgoing person. She was always making you smile. She was a really good friend,” said Huard, who was visiting the site where the accident occurred.
“She always had her head up. Though she went through a lot in her life, she was a strong girl.”
Huard said she was frustrated about people drinking and driving.
“It is not right. People should not do it. It takes away lives,” she said.
St. Jean said a service was to be held at the Confederation Secondary School gym Wednesday afternoon.
“You don't have to know them. Just come to pay your respects.”
