Young life cut tragically short
Family's new car proved enticing for 16-year-old
Father hopes death will provide lesson for others
TESS KALINOWSKI
STAFF REPORTER
- Toronto Star - October 14, 2004
On Saturday night, William Campbell's 16-year-old twin son Christopher took the family's new Mercedes-Benz for a joyride and never came home.
Now the bereaved father is desperately trying to draw some good from the tragedy that has touched a reserved, upscale neighbourhood near Royal York Rd. and Dundas St. W.
Campbell is warning parents and teens that car keys can be loaded weapons in the hands of an inexperienced driver.
"I'm hoping this incident, as tragic as it is, can save lives," he said. "If you don't know what to do with a car, it's like taking a gun and playing Russian roulette."
Campbell thinks Chris, who had a learner's permit and wasn't allowed to drive alone, made an error common among novice drivers: As he slowed to turn on to Edgevalley Dr., near the family's Etobicoke home, he may have put his foot on the accelerator instead of the brake. His life ended in a fiery explosion after the car struck a tree near James Gardens.
His devoted parents, fraternal twin Will and younger brother Michael, 12, are devastated.
"When it comes to senseless death, this is at the top of the list," Campbell said yesterday, as he choked back tears at Bishop Allen Academy, on Royal York near The Queensway, where his handsome son was popular among teachers and students.
While there's no evidence Chris had been drinking, his father acknowledged the possibility.
"I'm realistic. ... It's likely he and his friends were experimenting. It's making sure people understand if they take one sip not to touch the car."
On the long Thanksgiving weekend, Campbell was still in Europe on a three-week business trip; his wife Marie had gone to visit a cousin for a couple of hours on Saturday.
The twins had spent the early part of Saturday evening eating Chinese food, watching a movie and playing pool with a small group of friends at home. It wasn't until the other teens went out that Chris did something his teachers and family say was entirely out of character: He took the keys to the new car.
The same mossy stones that slashed the underside of the Mercedes now support a vast makeshift memorial amidst the leafy enclave of mansions. "Rest in Peace" has been scratched crudely on some of the flat stones.
"Next game is for you Chris" is written on a football. Bouquets of fall flowers are piled around the wide tree trunks. On one tree where the bark is badly scored, a circle of flowers is suspended under a strip of yellow police tape. The earthy autumn air carries the scent from dozens of burning puddles of wax.
"It's shocking, there's so much outpouring," said Campbell, who struggles with the guilt of having bought the kind of fast car that would naturally tantalize a teenager.
"He wanted to be like me so much. He would listen to my business conversations. He was always trying to start a web design business. He was an entrepreneur at heart, like me," he said.
"I think he wanted to be like me so much he took my car."
