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The community surrounding the Capital City Mission drop-in centre is reeling after an SUV crashed into the building Wednesday morning, killing one man and injuring four others.
The crash happened around 9 a.m., just as the drop-in on Rideau Street was opening to hand out free coffee and sandwiches.
Keltie Davidson, the mission’s executive director, said she knew the man in his 70s who was killed in the crash.
“He was a friend of mine. I’ve known him many, many years. He’s a kind, gentle soul. He’s someone who didn’t say a lot, but you knew his presence in the room just because of his warmth. And so it’s really a big loss to our whole community for sure,” she said.
Anna Vogt, Capital City Mission’s board chair, said the man showed up every morning to open the door for others and was well known within the community.
On Thursday, bouquets of flowers had been left in the snow near the building’s damaged entrance. The drop-in remains closed.
Keltie Davidson, executive director of the Capital City Mission, described the man who was killed in Wednesday’s crash as ‘a kind, gentle soul’ who was well known at the drop-in. (Jacob Taillefer Racine/CBC)Crash was ‘horrifying’
The drop-in has been a fixture in the neighbourhood for 25 years, offering a space for community and connection for anyone who needs it. Vogt called it “Lowertown’s living room.”
Ottawa police haven’t said anything about what caused the crash. On Thursday, police said it remains under investigation.
Davidson was also in the building when the crash happened.
“It was pretty horrifying. You know we have a pretty small space. The glass doors opened and everything happened quickly and we responded the best that we could,” she said.
The crash sent four others to hospital, including the driver of the SUV. Davidson said her thoughts are also with that man, too.
“I don’t know the circumstances. I personally don’t feel the need to know what happened. This is a tragedy for that person as much as it is for anyone else, and my heart really does go out to him,” she said.
The entrance of the Capital Street Mission was heavily damaged in the crash. It’s not clear when the drop-in will be able to reopen. (Jacob Taillefer Racine/CBC)
On Wednesday, Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said his thoughts are also with the victims.
“For something like that to happen on the streets of Ottawa is very difficult to hear. All of my thoughts are with the victim and his family, and the other victims who were injured.”
Vogt said the organization is awaiting a damage assessment from its landlord to determine when it can reopen and resume service.
“We’re still kind of reeling from the direct aftermath and trying to gauge what are the best next steps as we gain new information and also work to try to directly offer that support to the guests and community members of Capital City Mission,” she said.
The crash happened just days before the Coldest Night of the Year, a fundraiser for Capital City Mission and another charity, Jericho Road.
The fundraiser will go ahead, and organizers are encouraging participants to leave a flower at the centre to remember those involved in the crash.