‘Absolutely unbearable’: Funeral for 3 kids killed in alleged drunk driving crash held Saturday

Three children killed in a crash caused by an alleged drunk driver were laid to rest on Saturday.

A steady stream of mourners filed into a Scarborough funeral home to celebrate and mourn Ramone Lavina, 15, his younger brother Jace, 13, and their six-year-old sister Mya, who were killed in a violent crash on May 18 caused by an alleged impaired teenage driver.

Police say a 19-year-old behind the wheel of a Dodge Caravan was allegedly speeding as he exited at the eastbound off-ramp at Renforth Drive and Highway 401, lost control, went over a raised median and slammed into a Chrysler Pacifica minivan that was stopped at a red light.

Inside the minivan were a mother, her four children and a male acquaintance of the family.

Ramone and Jace were pronounced dead at the scene, while Mya was rushed to the hospital but died a short time later.

The mother, Jade Galve, her 10-year-old child, and the male driver survived the devastating crash.

Those attending today’s service were asked not to wear black but rather bright colours “in honour of the joy, light and love our children brought into our lives.”

Rev. Robinet from Grace Life Centre in Scarborough, who works with the children’s mother, was among those who attended the service.

“When I heard the news, I was broken by it; I couldn’t sleep at night. I myself have three children …and I felt like these are my children,” he told reporters outside the service.

“Losing three children is not easy. A tragic death like this is really heartbreaking.”

Robinet also made a passionate plea to all levels of government to deliver stronger laws when it comes to impaired driving so that future families would not have to suffer through similar grief.

“When people get behind the wheel of a vehicle under the influence, they need to know they are going to be facing harsh punishment. When you see these three precious children and this family facing this calamity and the tragedy, it’s absolutely unbearable,” he said.

“People who do get drunk and drive under the influence, think about you’re loved ones first, think about your life first.”

A GoFundMe campaign is still accepting donations to help the family with expenses.