'Always say I love you': Ancaster, Ont. mother on the grief of losing her teen son in a car crash
An Ancaster, Ont. mom is mourning her 19-year-old son who died in a car crash in Brant County on Jan. 21.
According to Ontario Provincial Police, the single-vehicle crash happened on Cockshutt Road just before 8 a.m.
Police said a 2004 Honda struck a hydro pole and one person was pronounced dead at the scene.
Shawna Hainer said she was devastated to find out it was her son Quinn.
She describes him as an amazing son and a great human being.
“He was very passionate about life, and his family. He just wanted to take care of everyone,” said Shawna.
His step-father said Quinn was working and saving up money to go to university.
“He had goals and ambitions and he had drive. He had it all mapped out,” said Jason Johnson.
Quinn’s family called him a caring soul who always put others first.
“There are not many people like that in world. He just made a difference, everywhere he went. Everything he touched,” Jason said.
On Thursday, at the scene of the crash, there was a memorial honouring Quinn.
A memorial to a 19-year-old victim of a Brant County crash is seen on Jan. 22, 2023. (Jeff Pickel/CTV Kitchener)
Cockshutt Road is now forever a part of the Hainer family.
They would like to see some positive change and are hoping a stop sign could be installed at the intersection.
“I hope that they put a few stop signs on that road so no one else has to feel this pain,” Shawna explained.
CTV News reached out to Brant County officials who confirmed they recently completed improvements on Cockshutt Road, including adding turning lanes at Burtch Road. A speed study is also planned for later this year.
“I want the people on that road to be heard finally, that there are no more accidents or deaths on that road,” Shawna said.
Despite the grief, Shawna said she finds solace in knowing her last words to her son were “I love you” and she’s encouraging others to tell the people they care about the same thing.
“Just always say I love you. Hold them and squeeze them tight and say you love them,” Shawna said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Federal minimum wage, taxes on alcohol: Here's what's changing in Canada April 1
The federal minimum wage is increasing from $15.55 per hour to $16.65, and taxes are going up on gas and alcohol nationwide starting April 1.

WATCH LIVE AT 4 P.M. | Deceased found in St. Lawrence River were trying to cross U.S. border: police
The six people whose bodies were recovered from the St. Lawrence River Thursday consisted of two families of Romanian and Indian origins who were likely trying to enter the U.S. illegally, police said Friday.
Trudeau defends appointment of cabinet minister's sister-in-law as interim ethics commissioner
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is defending the appointment of senior Liberal cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc's sister-in-law as Canada's interim ethics commissioner.
'Rust' set manager convicted in death of cinematographer
Dave Halls, first assistant director on Western "Rust, was sentenced on Friday for the on-set shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, marking the first conviction for the 2021 fatality which shook Hollywood.
Andrew Tate to leave Romanian jail, put under house arrest
An official says Andrew Tate, the divisive internet personality who has spent months in a Romanian jail on suspicion of organized crime and human trafficking, has won an appeal to replace his detention with house arrest.
Trump to be arraigned Tuesday to face New York indictment
Former U.S. President Donald Trump will be arraigned Tuesday after his indictment in New York City, court officials said Friday, his formal surrender and arrest presenting the historic, shocking scene of a former U.S. commander in chief forced to stand before a judge.
N.S. doctor denies alleged negligence in case of woman who died after long ER wait
A doctor named in a lawsuit after a Nova Scotia woman died in hospital following a long wait to see a physician has denied allegations from the family that he failed in his duties.
Syphilis cases in babies skyrocket in Canada amid health-care failures
The numbers of babies born with syphilis in Canada are rising at a far faster rate than recorded in the United States or Europe, an increase public health experts said is driven by increased methamphetamine use and lack of access to the public health system for Indigenous people.
Ottawa gives final approval, with conditions, for Rogers' $26B purchase of Shaw
The largest telecommunications deal in Canadian history will go forward after Rogers Communications Inc.'s $26-billion takeover of Shaw Communications Inc. received approval from Ottawa on Friday.