Crosswalk memorial plaque honours teen

The parents of a 15-year-old boy who was struck and killed at a pedestrian crosswalk in 2023 said they want drivers to be reminded to slow down as they unveiled a new memorial at the site of the crash.

Nicole Sutherland wiped tears from her eyes as she told a crowd of about 55 people gathered at the corner of Victoria Avenue and McDiarmid Drive that her son’s death on Oct. 5, 2023 changed her life forever.

“I know Antoine would have been the first person to forgive what happened that day, and so I try to focus more on honouring his legacy, keeping his name out there, his memory,” she said on Friday morning.

“His spirit is so strong, and I miss him so much, but I’m so thankful for the impact that he had … and that I got to be his mom.”

Sutherland, Alazar Asrat, the boy’s father, and city officials revealed the commemorative plaque hung on the pole of the pedestrian corridor that reads, “Drive safely. In memory of Antoine Aklilu Sutherland.”

It is the first roadside memorial featuring the plaque in Brandon following the approval of a new city policy in December that requires the removal of items such as flowers and personal mementos for traffic safety once the plaque is placed.

The policy outlines that plaques are put at the site of a fatality for up to five years before they are given to the victim’s family.

Sutherland said she was initially upset when the policy was proposed in the fall, but she recognizes that roadside memorials with flowers and decorations can be distracting to drivers.

She said it means a lot to have the plaque honouring her son at the intersection and emphasized that the decisions drivers make have an impact on individuals, families and communities.

“Antoine was just trying to come home that day and should have made it all the way across, but he didn’t,” Sutherland said.

At the time, Antoine was a Grade 10 student at Vincent Massey High School who had finished playing basketball and was biking home when he was struck by a vehicle.

Prabhjot Singh Grewal has been charged with one count of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death. His trial is slated for Oct. 18-28, 2027 in Brandon’s Court of King’s Bench.

Asrat said he hopes the plaque alerts drivers to be careful because he doesn’t want other families to experience the pain of losing a child or loved one.

“It was the greatest honour of my life to be Antoine’s father. I’m going to cherish all the memories that I have with him,” he said. “Antoine was my pride and joy, and he’s just a beautiful soul. Every day that I spent with him was a gift.”

Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett told relatives, friends and community members at the gathering that the memorial continues to be a place where people can pause, reflect and mourn the loss of Antoine.

“What happened here is a tragedy. It’s also a powerful reminder every time we get behind the wheel, every time we share the road, our choices matter,” he said. “A moment of inattention, a decision to speed, or lack of care change lives forever.”

He said the community will continue to support the family as they honour his legacy.

“Antoine mattered. He was loved, and he continues to be loved,” Fawcett said.

The boy’s parents said they want people to remember their son’s smile, humour and the compassion he had toward others. Hearing people’s stories about the impact Antoine had on their lives is heartwarming and makes Sutherland feel like he’s still here, she said.

Several Vincent Massey graduates also came to honour their late friend during the gathering and told the Sun it was emotional receiving their diplomas without him at the Keystone Centre on Thursday.

Khrystyna Khomenko said she loved how valedictorian Loveth Aso honoured Antoine in her speech at the graduation ceremony.

She said she had known Antoine since elementary school and remembers him being an energetic person who always wanted to get to know people and be someone others can lean on.

“Every time that he’s mentioned, I want people to think more about his character, more about how he changed as a person, how he spread the gospel,” Khomenko said.

Friday’s gathering at the crosswalk included a drumming circle of about 15 people and an opening prayer by knowledge keeper Debbie Huntinghawk.

» tadamski@brandonsun.com