VOAKES o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2006-04-12 published
Teenager remembered as friendly, full of fun
Cassandra HARDWICK was fatally injured while using a crosswalk
on her way to school.
By Peter GEIGEN-
MILLER, Free Press Reporter, Wed., April 12,
Grieving Friends and classmates remember Cassandra
HARDWICK as
outgoing, friendly and full of fun.
The Grade 12 student at Sir Wilfrid Laurier secondary school
was fatally injured Monday morning while using a Southdale Road
crosswalk a block from the school.
It's the latest in a spate of pedestrian accidents that have
killed seven people on London streets in 2004 and 2005 and injured
many more.
Yesterday, shocked classmates responded to
HARDWICK's death by
creating a memorial at the accident site.
The roadside tribute features flowers, photos and a large poster
filled with hand-written messages and memories of
HARDWICK, 17.
The popular student, voted funniest at Laurier this year, laughed
a lot and made others laugh, classmates remembered yesterday.
"She was the queen of funny faces," said Grade 12 classmate Katie
ELDRIDGE. "If you had a bad day, you could talk to her and she'd
cheer you up."
Jessie FOSTER, also in Grade 12, said
HARDWICK always made her
smile.
"If you didn't know her, you missed out on something,"
FOSTER
said.
Laurier principal Frank
GALIZIA spoke about
HARDWICK before her
name was officially released, describing her as "a lovely young
lady, just a good person."
He said the young woman was a good student and well thought of
by staff and students alike.
GALIZIA said guidance counsellors and the Thames Valley District
school board's traumatic events response team have been at the
school to provide support for any staff and students who need
it.
GALIZIA said the student body has responded to the death with
compassion, supporting each other in their grief.
The accident occurred at a crosswalk on Southdale west of Millbank
Drive, where the school is located.
The crosswalk is controlled by buttons that are pushed to turn
traffic lights on Southdale red and give pedestrians a walk signal.
Police are investigating the role of the crosswalk in the accident.
Area resident Wilfrid
VOAKES said he'd like to see more protection
for pedestrians crossing heavily travelled Southdale Road.
He would like to see school zone warning signs and reduced speeds
on Southdale Road near the crosswalk.
"We need signs to slow the traffic down and make drivers more
aware of the kids,"
VOAKES said.
He points out the neighbourhood has Laurier secondary school
and two elementary schools.
"It will probably happen again if they don't do something,"
VOAKES
warned.
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