‘He was a nice, quiet kid’: Family, community in mourning as teen identified in fatal Medway Road crash

Family and friends mourn the loss of 17-year-old Gavin DeClark after a fatal crash. CTV London’s Bryan Bicknell has the story.

Friends, family and area residents are coming to grips with the loss of a teenager in a violent crash north of London.

“There was a lot of activity down there, and debris on the road was horrendous,” said Medway Road resident, Dick Los.

Los arrived home shortly after the collision on Medway Road between Richmond and Adelaide Streets Monday afternoon.

The victim has been identified as Gavin DeClark, aged 17.

“We are deeply devastated by the loss of our son Gavin and are so grateful for the love and support that we have received from family, friends and our community,” his family told CTV News.

Gavin was from Thorndale, and attended Medway High School, just west of where the crash happened.

“He was a nice, quiet kid,” said Medway Principal, Chris Smith.

Smith said the school community is in mourning, with a Tragic Events Response Team on hand.

“It’s been a tough 48 hours, for sure. It feels like it’s been a lot longer than that. It’s heavy, and students and staff are feeling the loss.”

Police said Gavin was operating an SUV traveling eastbound on Medway Road when the vehicle crossed into the path of an oncoming grain truck.

He died at the scene. The truck driver was treated on scene for minor injuries.

Neighbour Dawn Gogle witnessed the truck leave the roadway after impact.

“I was just coming out the door to see the truck veering off the road, hit the pole and the driver jumped out right away,” she explained.

As for Medway Road itself, neighbours said it is well patrolled by the OPP, but it has become increasingly busy, with many drivers speeding and often unaware they’re sharing the road with farm vehicles.

“Tractors pulling grain wagons, there’s large spray equipment. Lots of farm equipment. That is very apparent during harvest, and time when they’re putting the crops in,” explained neighbour Dick Los.

In the meantime, all that’s left of the crash are marks from the two vehicles involved, and a memorial for Gavin that’s been set up where the SUV came to rest.

“Sad for the family, and actually, between my wife and myself discussed that some day it’s going to happen, yeah and lo and behold, it did,” Los said.

A candlelight vigil will be held for Gavin on the Medway High School football field at 7:30 Wednesday evening.