'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
Liberals to go after predatory lending in today's budget, invest in dental care plan
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is set to table a federal budget in the House of Commons on Tuesday afternoon, which a federal source says will include plans to go after predatory lending and more details on dental care as part of a pitch to make life more affordable.

Nearly all Canadian adults had COVID antibodies for about half of 2022, most through previous infection: survey
A newly released survey finds nearly all Canadian adults had antibodies against COVID-19 for about half of 2022, with most acquiring them through a previous infection.
Nashville police release chilling security camera footage of suspected school shooter
Nashville police have released security camera footage of a suspected shooter entering the private Christian elementary school. The shooting claimed the lives of three children, all aged nine, and three adults.
Family sues Hamilton, Ont. school board after 5-year-old girl loses part of finger in alleged bullying incident
The mother of a five-year-old girl said her daughter was allegedly bullied so badly she was left with a partially amputated finger from an incident in the washroom.
Quebec police officer stabbed and killed during arrest, second wounded
A Quebec provincial police officer was fatally stabbed Monday night while performing an arrest in Louiseville, west of Trois-Rivieres, Que. The Surete du Quebec (SQ) has confirmed the identity of the officer, Sgt. Maureen Breau, who had been on the force for over 20 years. She was assigned to the post of the MRC de Maskinonge. Another officer was injured during the incident, but their life is not in danger.
Nashville shooter was ex-student with detailed plan to kill
The former student who shot through the doors of a Christian elementary school in Nashville and killed three children and three adults had drawn a detailed map of the school, including potential entry points, and conducted surveillance of the building before carrying out the massacre.
Elephant in the dining room: Startup makes mammoth meatball
An Australian company lifted the glass cloche on a meatball made of lab-grown cultured meat using the genetic sequence from the long-extinct pachyderm, saying it was meant to fire up public debate about the hi-tech treat.
B.C. to limit access to diabetes drug Ozempic that has social media fame for weight loss
British Columbia's health minister says he's pushing through a regulatory change to limit the sale of the diabetes drug Ozempic to non-Canadian residents as celebrities promote its weight loss side-effects.
Russian whose daughter drew anti-war picture gets two years' jail but flees
A Russian who was investigated by police after his daughter drew an anti-war picture at school was sentenced on Tuesday to two years in a penal colony on charges of discrediting the armed forces.