Sault family faces major hardships after devastating fatal crash

The Hinan family in the Sault is still dealing with the fallout of a crash Jan. 7 that claimed the life of Devereaux, age two, and badly injured his mother, Wendy, who was pregnant at the time.

As a result, Wendy was forced to have a C-section and deliver her daughter, Vereena, two months early.

Sault police said the family was in an SUV when another SUV crossed into their lane, hitting them head-on. Another vehicle then slammed into them from behind.

While Vereena remains at SickKids, Wendy is at St. Michael’s Hospital with extensive injuries.

Personal injury lawyer Darcy Merkur, speaking on behalf of the family, told CTV News the family is facing a long road ahead.

“Wendy’s got an assortment of orthopedic injuries,” Merkur said.

‘It’s hard to know’

She’s undergone extensive surgery and a fractured jaw has made eating food extremely difficult.

“When it comes to the infant, it’s hard to know,” the lawyer said.

“We’re trying to figure out the smartest plan in terms of whether they should head back up north in the coming weeks and months, or whether they would be better off staying in Toronto.”

The family is planning to take legal action related to the fatal crash, which happened in the Black Road and Second line area.

The driver of the SUV that hit them head-on recently passed away from their own injuries, although that will not have much of an impact the family’s court case.

A fundraiser to support the Hinan family has far exceeded its original goal and now sits at more than $267,000 in under a week.

“I’ve never seen a GoFundMe at that magnitude in these circumstances,” Merkur said.

“I applaud the community for (its) widespread support under these circumstances. I can tell you they need it … Wendy’s needs will be it’ll be multi-million dollars. Verena’s needs have the potential to be tens of millions of dollars.”

Merkur calls this the saddest case he’s seen in his 25 years as a personal injury lawyer -- and among the saddest anyone in his business has seen.

There is a sliver of joy in this tragic story. Wendy is set to meet Verena for the first time since the emergency C-section in the next day or two.