Carly Charlebois and Rama Pirakala were killed by an impaired driver.
A roadside memorial sign will soon stand near a Mississauga highway crash site where two people were killed by an impaired driver in 2022.
MADD Canada will unveil the sign in memory of Carly Charlebois and Rama Pirakala during a ceremony at the QEW and Erin Mills Parkway carpool lot, close to where the fatal collision occurred.
The memorial commemorates the deaths of Charlebois, 20, and Pirakala, 42, who were killed on June 16, 2022, following a minor crash on the QEW near Cawthra Road.
According to MADD Canada, the two drivers had exited their vehicles to inspect the damage and exchange information after the initial collision, which happened around 10:30 p.m. Neither driver was injured in that crash.
Moments later, an impaired driver slammed into the back of Charlebois’ vehicle while she was sitting in the back seat. She was rushed to hospital without vital signs and later pronounced dead.
Pirakala was thrown into a guardrail and suffered fatal blunt-force injuries. He died at the scene.
Adel Al-Busaidy was sentenced to two five-year prison terms after pleading guilty to causing the deaths.
MADD Canada said the losses continue to have a profound impact on the victims’ families, friends and loved ones.
The organization says roadside memorial signs are intended to honour victims while also serving as a reminder to motorists about the devastating consequences of impaired driving.
MADD Canada also thanked Charlebois’ mother, Cheryl Lewis, for her support and courage, and the City of Mississauga for helping to establish the memorial sign.
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