Family and friends of a 20-year-old man from Clarence-Rockland are mourning after he was killed in an overnight crash east of Ottawa.
OPP say Xavier Ladouceur-Rochon's grey 2002 Chevrolet Malibu flipped into a ditch on Henri road in Clarence Township early Sunday morning.
They were called to the scene by another driver who had noticed the flipped car shortly before 3:30 a.m. Police are investigating if alcohol was a factor
Xavier is believed to be the only occupant of the car. He was declared dead on the scene.
Xavier's father, Luc Rochon, says he is devastated over the loss of his son, the youngest of four children.
"He was my friend too," Rochon said. "He's never coming back."
Luc Rochon says in the middle of the night, Xavier's friend called to tell him Xavier was driving home from a party, and he had been drinking.
Rochon says he wishes his son had never gotten behind the wheel, and that one of his friends would have insisted on taking his keys.
Rochon says police knocked on his door around 4 a.m. to tell him Xavier was killed in the crash.
Friends and family filled Rochon's home on Sunday afternoon to pay their respects and share memories of Xavier.
They say they Xavier's death is a tragic reminder of the dangers of drinking and driving.
Friends say they want to send a message that drinking and driving is a terrible choice, and that they believe the person who was hosting the party should have taken Xavier's keys, called him a cab, or even called police to stop him from driving home after drinking.
Rochon described his son as having a big heart. He says his death will leave behind a big hole in his own life.
"I just love my son," he said. "The room is empty now."
An autopsy is scheduled for early this week.
OPP investigators are asking anyone with information to contact them at 1-888-310-1122.
With files from CTV's Claudia Cautillo
