‘Could have happened to anyone’: Driver who fatally struck little girl in Squamish in shock

SQUAMISH (NEWS 1130) – As friends rally behind the family of a two-year-old girl killed in a Squamish parking lot last week, support is also coming in for the driver who tragically struck the little girl.

“She’s just kind of processing it right now and taking the time off to, you know, get through the shock,” says Elena Butler, who has been friends with the driver for five years.

The crash, which Squamish RCMP continue to investigate, happened Friday evening in the parking lot of the local Independent Grocer at Garibaldi Way and Diamond Road. The toddler was exiting the store and crossing the parking lot with her mom when the pair were hit. Both were taken to hospital, where the girl died from her injuries.

“It’s just really heartbreaking and sad,” says Butler, who is protecting the identity of the driver. “When people find out who the driver is, I think a lot of the attitude and tone will change towards the driver.”

Butler says the driver’s two children, ages 7 and 9, were also in the car at the time of the crash.

“Everybody’s thinking about the family that, you know, lost their daughter at such a young age,” adds Butler. “But also those who know who the driver is, also know that’s she an amazing, kind, loving woman and they’re broken for her.”

RELATED: Squamish church, community come together to mourn 2-year-old, donations pour in for family

While she hasn’t been able to bring herself to ask her friend what exactly led up to the crash, Butler says it was dark and raining at the time, adding the intersection is terrible.

“Could have happened to anyone,” says Butler. “A lot of people have always felt that that intersection was dangerous; the crosswalk, that there needed to be more done.”

A GoFundMe page Butler started for her friend to help with counselling and lost wages have raised over $3,000. It comes as the GoFundMe page for the family of the little girl surpasses over $30,000.

The driver, meantime, says she’s moved by the love and support coming from the community.

“My mind is also at ease when many share and remind me this is not my fault it was an accident,” she says in a statement provided by Butler. “[It] is really reassuring to read as my guilt comes into my space from time to time. I am grateful for and blessed with all the prayers that have been held for everyone affected as well this warms my heart. I’m still taking this step by step day by day and go through a roller coaster of emotions.”

Butler says the tragedy has affected many in the community, especially since some people, including a witness of the crash, know both families involved.

“It feels dark, I think everybody kind of feels a little bit of a grey cloud hanging over us right now. It’s just been so heartbreaking,” she says. “It’s pretty emotional for everybody, you know, and a lot of people have mixed emotions toward the driver when they don’t know who the driver is, you know, the investigation is not final.”


A memorial for the young girl killed is expected to take place on Friday in Squamish.

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