A celebration of life is being held this Sunday, April 2 for Nichole Sanders and 10-year-old Brooklyn Flores, the Langley mother and daughter who were killed in a crash near Jasper, March 11.
Many are expected to gather at the celebration, which will be held at Loft Country, 2640 248 St., at 2:30 p.m. Loft Country was one of Brooklyn's favourite places to be and was excited to become a wrangler there.
Adam Flores, Brooklyn's father, said that the family wants people attending to wear 'whatever makes you the happiest.' A reception will follow the celebration.
Nichole and her mom, Jennifer Sanders, were taking Brooklyn and their eight-year-old son, Wyatt, to West Edmonton Mall for a spring break vacation when the crash took place, 13 kilometres east of Jasper.
At approximately 10:45 p.m., while on patrol, Jasper RCMP came across the two-vehicle collision on Highway 16.
The van the Langley family was travelling in had collided, head-on, with a pickup truck.
According to Jasper RCMP, two occupants of the van were pronounced deceased at the scene — a 33-year-old woman and her 10-year-old daughter. The family's eight-year-old boy was also in the van but was not injured. The 56-year-old grandmother in the van suffered non-life threatening injuries, said police.
Wyatt was physically uninjured in the crash. His grandmother is home from hospital but is badly injured. Both are suffering emotionally, said Adam.
The driver of the truck, a 51-year-old man from Calgary, was taken to hospital in serious condition.
Condolences have been pouring in for the Walnut Grove family. Nichole was heavily involved in Girl Guides and Scouts and known for loving her children. They were her priority and the love of her life, said many in their messages of condolence.
A Gofundme account under 'help suppport Wyatt' has been set up for their eight-year-old son. Already, $10,000 has been donated to the trust account that is being created for Wyatt to access when he is an adult.
Also, at Dorothy Peacock Elementary, where Brooklyn attended and where Wyatt still goes to school, donations are being accepted. They will be directed to the Loft Country, Jasper's Victim Services and BC Children's Hospital.
The families are asking in lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to any of the three listed non-profit organizations.