Two migrant workers killed in a crash in Kingsville are being remembered as jolly friends and coworkers. Friends have identified Esvin Denilson Marroquin Ajpop and Carlos Roberto Cos Socoy, two migrant workers from Guatemala, as the victims hit by a vehicle on Oct. 29. Working with the two men seven days a week, Stephanie Garcia said she became not just coworkers but friends with Esvin and Carlos. “They were so jolly,” Garcia said, adding, “They’re so friendly.” The two men werestruck by a Jeep on County Road 34 West between Olinda Side Road and County Road 18 at approximately 10:40 p.m. Despite resuscitation efforts, police said the victims, 25 and 27, were pronounced dead at the scene. In the days after the accident, Garcia said people at her work were often silent and sad, processing the “tragic” incident. “At first, I can’t process it, like, it’s so instant,” Garcia said. Garcia noted Esvin was able to travel home to see his family during the summer, but Carlos had planned a trip home for December. Repatriation efforts Because their families counted on them for support, Garcia noted coworkers and HR staff are working to raise money to help with repatriation. AGoFundMe created to help has set a goal of $16,000, which is expected to cover the costs for both men. “We just like to do something to help because we are far from [their families], from Guatemala, and we just want them to help, to go home to… be reunited with their family,” Garcia said. Garcia noted the company’s HR team was in the process of reaching out to the families. In the meantime, she said they will continue “knocking on everyone’s heart,” in hopes of reaching their intended goal to send the two men home. As of Sunday afternoon, the online fundraiser had received more than $8,000 in donations. “We did not expect this much kindness and support, but of course, we are so very thankful for that,” she added. Safety concerns The death of the two young men has reignited calls to better support migrant workers who are often forced to travel in dangerous circumstances. Syed Hussan, the Executive Director of the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, told CTV News this marks the third fatal bike or pedestrian incident involving migrant workers in Ontario this year. The alliance has frequently advocated for more measures to protect those who have been killed while staying in the country to help the Canadian food system. “How can people just keep dying on the streets?” Hussan questioned. “This is not an issue of a bad driver. This is an issue of a series of interconnected policies that make people precarious and, frankly, killable.” Through consultations with migrant workers in the Niagara region, where several workers have been killed while walking or cycling, Hussan said they wanted to see more inspections of their living conditions, greater access to labour rights, and improved public transit. The alliance is also calling for a coroner’s inquest into road deaths involving migrant workers. Due to their varying work hours and often distant housing units, Hussan noted workers often have to go out late at night when visibility is poor. “Whether they want to do any of life’s basic necessities, they have to go out into the community on rural roads. They don’t get paid enough to buy cars, so they are walking or biking late at night, and that is when they are being killed,” he said. Hussan added he’s hopeful the provincial and federal governments will see the “crisis” on the roads and implement change to better protect workers. In a recent social media post, Mexico’s consulate in Leamington also urged pedestrians and cyclists to follow road safety. The consulate noted it recently held a quarterly meeting with local authorities, where it agreed to reinforce a road safety strategy to prevent future accidents. The consulate added that pedestrians should wear reflective clothing on roads and highways without lighting, and place lights on the front and back of bikes.
