Husband Of Woman Run Down On Sidewalk Issues Heartbreaking Statement
Posted August 3, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
“She has gone like the wind, and we can only meet in my dreams.”
In an elegant, almost poetic statement, the people of Toronto heard for the first time what the death of his wife means for Tom Liang. It was Liang’s wife, Yan Zhang who went out to fly a kite with her three-year-old son on July 11th and never came home. They were on the way back from their excursion when the unthinkable happened – a car being driven by an alleged drunk driver jumped the curb at McCowan near Eglinton and hit the 36-year-old and her child head on.
Yan died at the scene, while her little son was seriously injured in the impact. The family pleaded for privacy, as Liang spent nearly every waking moment beside his injured boy at the Hospital for Sick Children praying for a miracle. He only left to attend the funeral for his soul mate. Now Liang has finally broken his silence recalling what the tragedy has done to him and those left behind. “My family has been driven to a dark valley by this terrible accident,” he explains. “It is still hard for us to fathom now. Despite the tragedy, we still feel love shown by you and from Above. Thanks to your walking with us along this dark valley, we do not feel that we have been abandoned and can see the sunshine above the dark clouds.”
His wife’s family arrived for her funeral in late July, a ceremony so painful it seems impossible to conceive they were able to survive it. Liang recalls the intense grief of Yan’s father and sisters, as they buried the woman who came to Canada with dreams of a new life – which her husband notes bitterly can never be fulfilled. “Yan’s father was so heart-broken that he was speechless. Yan’s sisters were so overwhelmed by the sorrow that they were trembling. They felt as though they were walking on two sharp blades, one – they could never again see their dear Yan, and the other – the worry that my son was struggling for his life.”
Against all odds, his boy, nicknamed Lele, continues to come back from his devastating injuries. He was in a coma for a week and suffered some brain damage. “With great efforts by the doctors and nurses, my son has undergone several successful operations,” Liang explains. “Four steel nails have been inserted into his skull to support a special steel structure that will stabilize his neck. We will need lots of miracles in rehabilitation therapy in the future.”
Fifty-six year-old Dragan Gorgijevski, the man accused of impaired driving in the case, remains behind bars and returns to court on Tuesday. He’s apparently having trouble making bail. The distraught dad obviously had him in mind as he ended his public pronouncement with one last plea. “If you ever recall Yan’s name in the future, please remember her sufferings,” he concludes. “And please remember not to drink and drive.”
A trust fund remains in place for the family. At least $22,000 has already been collected, with half going to Mothers Against Drunk Driving. You can contribute at any TD Canada Trust Branch
Account Number: 18825213769
Cheque Payable To: Chinese Immigrants Emergency Relief (CIER)
Memo: Yan Zhang’s Memorial Fund
Or send cheques to:
Chinese Immigrants Emergency Relief,
25 Old York Mills Rd.,
North York, Ont.
M2P 1B5
Text of Liang’s Statement:
“Since the Yan Zhang tragedy on July 11th, my family and I have been overwhelmed by the support and care that we have received from various communities and ethnic groups. I truly appreciate your kindness. I would like to report to you what has happened since then.
“On July 21st, Yan’s father, sisters and brother-in-law arrived in Canada. Yan’s mother could not come to say goodbye to her daughter due to her physical weakness and grief. Yan’s father and sisters did not believe that the next time they would see Yan, it would be at a funeral home in Toronto. Yan’s father was so heart-broken that he was speechless. Yan’s sisters were so overwhelmed by the sorrow that they were trembling. They felt as though they were walking on two sharp blades, one – they could never again see their dear Yan, and the other – the worry that my son was struggling for his life.
“On July 28th, Yan’s funeral went smoothly with the supervision of Rev. Joshua Yao of the North York Mandarin Alliance Church. Yan’s family, our friends, brothers and sisters of the church and my colleagues attended the funeral to celebrate Yan’s life. I gave the eulogy, and Yan’s father also gave a speech with deep sorrow.
“Looking at Yan’s smiling face in her photo, we were all crying and could not speak. Despite the grief, we were also giving thanks for Yan’s short-live life of thirty-six years. She was such a blessing to her friends around her and especially her loved ones. While singing the hymn, Amazing Grace, we prayed the heavenly peace will be upon each and every life. We later went together to the cemetery to pay our last respects to Yan. Following the blessings from our dear family, friends and the Pastor, Yan’s casket was laid under the ground. It was a peaceful time – with the birds singing under the blue sky, we wished that Yank would finally rest in peace.
“My son has regained consciousness from a coma that lasted six days and seven nights. My son is not out of danger. He has been transferred from intensive care to the ward for children needing neurosurgery at the Hospital for Sick Children. With great efforts by the doctors and nurses, my son has undergone several successful operations. Four steel nails have been inserted into his skull to support a special steel structure that will stabilize his neck. We will need lots of miracles in rehabilitation therapy in the future – according to the doctors. Please continue to pray for my son.
“My family has been driven to a dark valley by this terrible accident. It is still hard for us to fathom now. Despite the tragedy, we still feel love shown by you and from Above. Thanks to your walking with us along this dark valley, we do not feel that we have been abandoned and can see the sunshine above the dark clouds. This is the love and grace that we have experienced after this tragedy. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Toronto Police, the hospital for Sick Children, Beijing Association, Hubei Association, Centre for Information Community Services, Chinese Immigrants Emergency Relief, North York Mandarin Alliance Church as well as friends with names and anonymous friends from different communities for your caring and support. Yan’s family and I truly appreciate your kind support and donations!!
“Yan’s smiling face and voice still echo in my mind. She has gone like the wind, and we can only meet in my dreams. Pray that Yan’s death will not be in vain. Yan is calling to us to respect life. Friends, if you ever recall Yan’s name in the future, please remember her sufferings and please remember not to drink and drive. Yan came to this land with a dream, and now she has been buried in this land with her dream unfulfilled. Yan wrote several children’s plays for films and televisions during her career as a screenwriter. She loved kids so much! But now she has been taken away forever from her beloved three-year-old son.
“Yan’s family will soon say farewell to this land and go on their journey back home. While their tears can be wiped away, how long will it take for the scar in their hearts to heal?
“May this land bring more love and respect, and less life tragedy and regret.”
Thank you!
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Widowed Father Makes Plea Against Drunk Driving
