Friends are grieving the loss of a Saskatoon family, after a two-car collision claimed the lives of a couple and their two young children.

Jordan Van de Vorst, 34, and his wife, Chanda Van de Vorst, 33, were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash early Sunday.

The couple's two-year-old son, Miguire, died later in hospital, and police confirmed Monday that their five-year-old daughter, Kamryn had also died.

A crowdfunding campaign has been set up to help collect donations for the surviving family members. As of Tuesday afternoon, more than $5,000 had been donated to the fund.

A 49-year-old woman was also taken to hospital and released. She has been charged with three counts of impaired operation of a motor vehicle causing death, and is expected to face a fourth charge of impaired driving causing death.

'A wonderful family'

Family friend Colin Chatfield said those who knew the Van de Vorsts are stunned by their sudden deaths.

"The family was a wonderful family," he told CTV Saskatoon. "This is a big loss for us."

Jordan Van de Vorst was a microbiologist who had a passion for photography. He was part of a group of amateur photographers who often went out together to shoot on location.

In fact, he and his family celebrated New Year's Eve by heading outdoors to take photos of the northern lights. He later posted some of the photos to his Facebook page.

“From my family to yours!! Have a fun filled and happy new year!” he wrote in a post accompanying the photos.

Chatfield said he’ll remember Jordan Van de Vorst as a man who loved his family. "He was a family man, and always talked about his kids and his wife,” he said.

Calls made to improve intersection safety

The RCMP says it appears that the Van de Vorsts were travelling westbound on Highway 11, when their vehicle was struck by an SUV that was trying to cross the highway on Wanuskewin Road.

The intersection, located north of Saskatoon, has been the scene of at least three deaths in the past six years.

Trevor Peterson, a councillor for the city of Warman, says he travels this stretch of the highway every day. He wants a barricade to be put up to prevent cars from crossing all four lanes of traffic.

"There is just no need whatsoever, other than for convenience, to have people crossing four lanes," he told CTV Saskatoon.

The province says it has made safety improvements at the intersection over the years, including dedicated turning lanes, signage and increased lighting.

It says that, whenever there's a death on a provincial highway, it conducts a review to see if any other safety improvements are needed.

Catherine Loye McKay, 49, of Saskatoon made a brief court appearance on Monday. She's expected back in court for a bail hearing on Thursday.

With a report from CTV News' Winnipeg Bureau Chief Jill Macyshon and CTV Saskatoon's Angelina Irinici