Family of Nancy Ouellette speaks out after second victim hit by waste management truck
Posted Mar 2, 2021 05:30:00 PM.
Indescribable frustration washed over Benjamin Ouellette when he read news of a pedestrian being hit by a waste management truck Feb. 18. near Tremaine Drive.
“My aunt Joan sent me it. I was out of town at an appointment, and I pulled over the car, and read it, and sat there in silence for a few minutes,” recalled Ouellette on the Mike Farwell Show on 570 NEWS. “And then so much frustration and anger came over me, that I just screamed. I'm not an anger person, but it just, I had so much anger that just came out of me, and I screamed so loud that I went blind for a few seconds. It was just extremely emotional for myself and for my family to see this happen again.”
Benjamin's mother Nancy Ouellette was walking her dog in the area of The Country Way and Tuerr Drive area of Kitchener in July 2020, when a similar incident happened. Nancy was pronounced dead the next day.
“To hear that it happened again, it's starting to sound more systemic,” said Ouellette. “My family and I need to do everything that we can to bring awareness to this, so that we can make sure that this doesn't happen a third time.”
Ouellette said the experience for his family was surreal, as this is something you expect to read in a headline about someone you don't know.
“The issue is the recycle trucks are dangerous vehicles, moreso than other vehicles,” said Ouellette, who said the Region awarded Miller Waste Systems a seven-year contract.
“I need the Region to cooperate with us, and take this seriously, and issue some kind of public awareness campaign. I'm not an expert in safety.”
Ouellette said he has not received any response from the region as of yet.
A spokesperson for the Region of Waterloo sent a statement to 570 NEWS regarding these two incidents.
“The Region of Waterloo extends our deepest condolences to the loved ones of those impacted. The safest delivery of services is an absolute goal and requirement for the Region of Waterloo, for our organization and for our contractors. When hiring contractors, we follow stringent procurement policies and ensure that we properly and appropriately vet contractors that provide service to the Region.”
No one has been convicted in a court of law regarding the incidents.
