The family of an Ottawa man killed in a Canada Day crash in the west end says Tom Bergeron died exactly as he lived: selflessly thinking of others before himself.
Bergeron wasn’t able to avoid the Friday morning crash, but did all he could to ensure everyone else survived, according to the family.
"My dad swerved his arm just enough that that car would take the impact right on him directly, so that my daughter would still be here today," Aime Bergeron, his daughter said.
Bergeron was travelling with his wife of 47 years, his daughter, and his eight-year-old granddaughter Ryleigh.
The family was heading out to get sparklers on Canada Day, when their minivan collided with a pickup truck hauling a trailer, allegedly filled with cement bricks, at the intersection of Baseline Road and Merivale Road.
"He died on impact, he didn’t suffer," Aime Bergeron continued.
"He was a hero. He turned that car in just a split second to save my daughter, to save his wife, and to save me, his three girls. He saved us."
Bergeron’s actions are not a surprise to his family. They say he was always a selfless man, delivering food to friends and family in need, and caring for those around him.
Tom Bergeron with his granddaughter Ryleigh. Tom Bergeron was killed in a two-vehicle crash in Ottawa's west end on Canada Day. (Submitted)
He was a loving husband and father, but it was his Ryleigh who captured his heart.
The pair were inseparable troublemakers and best friends.
"He would get in that bed with my daughter and she would roll over him and they would watch TV together and munch snacks. He gave every day for that little girl," Aime Bergeron said.
Ottawa Police are investigating the collision and are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have dash cam footage to contact them.
A GoFundMe fundraising campaign has been created to support the Bergeron family, but their message to others is to always be aware while behind the wheel.
"It’s not a toy, it hurts, it hurts and it kills, just be safe on the road," Bergeron said.
Environment Canada has extended heat warnings in a number of provinces, as unseasonably hot conditions continue across the country.
China said Monday it was extending threatening military exercises surrounding Taiwan that have disrupted shipping and air traffic and substantially raised concerns about the potential for conflict in a region crucial to global trade.
Alberta Health Services has issued an enforcement order against a Banff home after an inspection discovered that as many as 42 people were staying inside the property, saying the maximum number of occupants of the facility 'was exceeded.'
A state of emergency remains in place for central Newfoundland, as well as a provincewide outdoor fire ban, as a long-burning forest fire continues to grow.
Five people, including a suspect, were taken to hospital with serious injuries after a violent incident that drew a massive police presence to downtown Vancouver's main entertainment district Saturday night.
Air Canada denied a customer complaint and instructed employees to classify flight cancellations caused by staff shortages as a "safety" problem, which would exclude travellers from compensation under federal regulations. That policy remains in place.
The recent resignation of Hockey Canada's board chair could be a sign of further departures to come, says Simona Jellinek, a sexual abuse and assault lawyer.
Canada's summer of heat waves continues this weekend, with warnings issued in four provinces. CTVNews.ca looks at some of the heat records broken already this year in Canada.
With a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants holding after nearly three days of violence, Gaza's sole power plant resumed operations Monday as Israel began reopening crossings into the territory.
A state of emergency remains in place for central Newfoundland, as well as a provincewide outdoor fire ban, as a long-burning forest fire continues to grow.
One of the longest serving MLA’s currently in the New Brunswick legislature says he was the one to offer new Liberal leader Susan Holt his seat should she choose to run in a by-election before the next provincial election.
According to police, Lucien Dubois was last seen leaving a residence on Boom Road in his vehicle Friday. He was later reported missing Sunday afternoon.
Here's what you need to know as Ontario's politicians return to Queen's Park.
A suspect already in handcuffs managed to overpower a Toronto police officer and steal their SUV, sending police on a wild early morning chase in the city’s midtown area on Monday.
Environment Canada says high humidity will persist in Toronto, the GTA and Hamilton for a third straight day, with humidex values approaching 40 C.
Montreal's Pride Parade has been cancelled due to a lack of volunteers able to guarantee a secure event.
A suspect has been apprehended by Montreal police (SPVM) following the death of a 37-year-old man, who appears to have fallen down a flight of stairs.
Air Canada denied a customer complaint and instructed employees to classify flight cancellations caused by staff shortages as a "safety" problem, which would exclude travellers from compensation under federal regulations. That policy remains in place.
The Trans-Canada Highway is closed in both directions between Ba Sa Gim Road in Shawanaga First Nation and Nobel on Monday morning following a crash, police say.
Alberta Health Services has issued an enforcement order against a Banff home after an inspection discovered that as many as 42 people were staying inside the property, saying the maximum number of occupants of the facility 'was exceeded.'
A suspect already in handcuffs managed to overpower a Toronto police officer and steal their SUV, sending police on a wild early morning chase in the city’s midtown area on Monday.
Most of southwestern Ontario remains under a heat warning, and London-Middlesex is no exception, as temperatures are expected to reach 40 C with the humidex Monday.
A 22-year-old Chatham-Kent woman has been charged by police after she allegedly threw a brick through a window early Sunday morning.
Here's what you need to know as Ontario's politicians return to Queen's Park.
Winnipeg Police are looking into a reported shooting early Sunday morning in River East.
A city-wide average of 88 mosquitoes per trap on Saturday is prompting the City of Winnipeg to start fogging for adults.
A fire in Winnipeg’s West End on Sunday evening sent one firefighter to hospital.
Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for most of southwestern Ontario, including Waterloo-Wellington, with local temperatures expected to climb into the high twenties or low thirties.
A crash between a sedan and motorcycle, on a highway in between Guelph and Kitchener, has resulted in life-altering injuries.
Metrolinx cancelled a number of GO Train trips Monday and says more cancellations are possible this week amid staffing shortages.
Calgary firefighters were called to a two-alarm fire in a northeast community on Sunday and officials say two homes were damaged.
Five people, including a suspect, were taken to hospital with serious injuries after a violent incident that drew a massive police presence to downtown Vancouver's main entertainment district Saturday night.
Alberta Health Services has issued an enforcement order against a Banff home after an inspection discovered that as many as 42 people were staying inside the property, saying the maximum number of occupants of the facility 'was exceeded.'
When Chris Rod and other fellow organizers first met three years ago to discuss what would become The Saskatchewan Filipino Music and Food Street Fest, he never imagined what he saw all weekend at Kiwanis Memorial Park.
A two-year-old child from Regina has been found safe, following an alleged abduction and Amber Alert.
Sask. RCMP received a report that the body of an adult man had been discovered on Aug 6. on the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation.
The Montreal Canadiens haven't brought the Stanley Cup home since 1993 -- but a very convincing replica is sitting in a garage in Boisbriand, Que., about 35 km northwest of Montreal.
Alberta’s Advanced Education minister says he is willing to help Athabasca University with whatever it wants – including money – to relocate 500 employees to the small town that's the school's namesake, but says the school has not stepped up.
Edmonton police are investigating after a woman died and a second person was injured following an incident in northeast Edmonton Saturday.
A nurse working in one of B.C.'s short-staffed hospitals is speaking out after she says she was assaulted by a patient who made a racist remark.
Smoke from a fire that engulfed a home in West Vancouver could be seen from kilometres away Sunday afternoon, as crews closed a major road to fight the blaze.
Marty Marchand is one of the hundreds of Olalla, B.C. residents who were ordered to leave their homes this week because of the aggressive, out-of-control Keremeos Creek wildfire.
A two-year-old child from Regina has been found safe, following an alleged abduction and Amber Alert.
Sask. residents living in the province’s major centres may witness some surveying being done by Apple Maps in the coming weeks.
Air Canada denied a customer complaint and instructed employees to classify flight cancellations caused by staff shortages as a "safety" problem, which would exclude travellers from compensation under federal regulations. That policy remains in place.
