Guelph, Ont. mother asks for compassion for teen charged in son's death
A Guelph, Ont. family is grieving the loss of a 19-year-old who died after he was hit by a car while riding his motorcycle Friday night, and his mother is asking the community for compassion for the 17-year-old driver involved in the fatal crash.
On Friday Sept. 9, Matthew Framst was killed while riding his motorcycle in Guelph, just a few blocks away from where he lived.
“I was just going to bed and I heard sirens and something just hit me in the gut, and I knew,” says Tania, Matthew's mother.
Matt was riding his motorcycle at Grange Road and Kearney Street when an SUV driven by a 17-year-old hit him.
He was taken to hospital where he later died.
“We did our thumbs up where we touched thumbs that was our thing. He said goodbye. I said 'Be safe.' He said 'Don’t worry mom.' And that’s the last time we saw him,” Tania says through tears.
The driver of the SUV was not injured and has been charged with careless driving causing death. Tania is asking those who cared for Matt to show the young driver compassion.
“I don’t think it was malicious and I think this person will have to live with this themselves and I don’t want to bring further anything to this young person,” she says.
A memorial for Matt includes skateboards, candles and flowers. (Carmen Wong/CTV Kitchener)
There’s a growing memorial for Matt, including bouquets of flowers, candles and skateboards.
“He had his skateboard everywhere he went,” Tania says.
His mom remembers him as an adrenaline chaser from birth and an avid skateboarder who always had the biggest and brightest smile.
“He wouldn’t stop until he perfected a trick and he would come home so sweaty and sunburnt and dehydrated,” Tania says.
That’s why Matt’s family has chosen to honour his memory by setting up a fundraiser to install a water fountain or refill station at the Guelph skate park. It's a place where Matt spent countless hours.
Matt’s celebration of life is scheduled for Sept. 17 at the Arboretum Center at The University Of Guelph. Guests are asked to wear bright colors and bring their dancing shoes because Matt loved to dance.
“He would put on 'So What'cha Want' from Beastie Boys and we would clear this space and he would take off his clothes and dance in his underwear,” Tania recalls.
Tania says with family, friends and the community by her side she knows that someday everything will be okay.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.