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Long-awaited Charlottetown monument honours Islanders killed by impaired drivers

‘It's a safe place to feel that pain again, knowing that the other people around you will hold you up as well’

Dozens gathered in Charlottetown to attend the unveiling of a long-awaited monument honouring Islanders who were victims of impaired driving.

The monument features three statues showcasing P.E.I.’s geographical landscape split into three parts. Each statue lists the names of local victims.

The marker was created by Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada and was 10 years in the making. Families and friends of victims were joined by first responders and government officials.

Tanya Hansen Pratt, the national president of MADD Canada, said the design is intentional.

“It is cut on one side to represent the devastation that happens after an impaired driving crash, but then comes back together on the other side as victims gather together… to help them rebuild their lives after the crash,” she said.

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“It's a really beautiful representation of what happens from the beginning of the process to the after,” Pratt added. “Often we hear victims talk about their lives being cleaved into a before and after, and I think this monument really represents that.”

Micah Stewart was one of five people hit by a drunk driver in a 2023 Marshfield crash that left four people dead, including his two brothers, Elijah and Isaiah, and best friend, Laura. He attended the monument’s unveiling in their honour.

“That shattered the heart immediately, [it] very much hurt,” he said, reflecting on seeing their names on the monument. “But I'm glad it was there. I'm glad that I'm able to release [my] emotions now.”

The collision also killed 30-year-old Daniel Bambrick, who was a passenger in the pickup truck that crossed the centre line and collided head-on with the car carrying the young people.

Stewart was 15 at the time of the crash and suffered significant injuries. Now 18, he is being homeschooled at the Grade 2 level.

“I had to learn how to walk, talk, breathe, eat, drink, all over again,” he said.

Stewart said that beyond monuments, he wants stronger legislation to help prevent such incidents from happening.

“Yes, I hope that people see it and they're like, ‘I really shouldn't drink and drive. That could ruin lives,' but I feel like it's just putting a Band-Aid on the battle wound,” he said.

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Pratt has also experienced personal loss related to impaired driving.

Her mother was out on a morning walk in Manitoba when she was struck and killed by an impaired driver who was travelling over 150 km/h.

“Grief never goes away, you just grow around it,” she said. “Coming to these events where we're with other people that understand it's a safe place to feel that pain again, knowing that the other people around you will hold you up as well.”

Currently, only 12 names are listed on the monument. Pratt said families are welcome to approach MADD Canada and have a name added.

“An unfortunate consequence of impaired driving is that we have to continue adding names,” she said. “We hope that by continuing to have these public ceremonies, people will eventually get the hint that they shouldn't drive impaired and that one day we won't have to add names anymore.”

Stewart said he hopes everyone continues to remember his brothers and best friend as funny, loving and caring.

Khushy Vashisht is a journalist at CBC P.E.I. She was a recipient of the 2026 CBC summer scholarship and has previously worked for CBC News: The National, as well as for The Globe and Mail. You can reach her at khushy.vashisht@cbc.ca with tips and story ideas.

With files from Camryn Farquharson