Hamilton boy killed in crash remembered as ‘joyful and courageous’

A nine-year-old boy from Hamilton tragically killed in a single-vehicle rollover crash on the QEW in Oakville is being remembered as “joyful, vibrant, adventurous, and courageous.”

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers were called for the crash on the westbound QEW at Bronte Road at around 2 a.m. on Monday. The vehicle had three occupants, with the young boy suffering critical injuries. He later died in hospital.

The nine-year-old was identified as Damien Maracle of Hamilton.

“Damien was taken from us way too early,” family member Jennifer Court, who organized a GoFundMe in his honour, said. “The sweetest boy with a heart of gold. His absence leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives. The family is grappling with grief and loss that no words can truly capture.”

OPP said Maracle was in the vehicle with his father, who was driving, and another family member. They were travelling home from a fishing trip and had been on the road for several hours before the fatal rollover crash.

Police said the boy was ejected from the truck as a result of the collision.

It’s believed that the boy’s father fell asleep, and the pickup truck wandered off the highway and flipped over several times before ending up in a ditch.

Damien’s father suffered serious injuries and remains in hospital. The second family member, confirmed to be Damien’s uncle, was not injured.

“In [Damien’s] memory, we are reaching out to our community to offer support during this challenging time,” Court wrote on the GoFundMe page. “As we navigate through the emotional turmoil that comes with such a tragedy, your contributions will go a long way.”

As of Wednesday, just over $18,000 has been raised, with a goal of $22,000.