The Newmarket wife and mother of three who was killed as she was leaving her nursing job early today, Friday Oct. 26, has been identified as Jenny Dixon, 41, by the Ontario Provincial Police.
A 37-year-old Newmarket woman, Shanshan Xia, is charged with impaired driving causing death, drive over 80mg/alc in 100ml/blood causing death, dangerous driving causing death, and criminal negligence causing death.
The crash, which occurred about 2 a.m. on Hwy. 404 at Aurora Road, was described as “dramatic” and “violent” by OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt.
“Speed and alcohol are both believed to be factors in this collision,” Schmidt said earlier in a video on Twitter.
Friends have launched a Go Fund Me memorial fund for the late Jenny Dixon and the three children she leaves behind.
“This is a nightmare that hits home for so many,” wrote Bill McCorkell, who created the online fundraiser Oct. 26 with a goal of raising $30,000 for the children's future. “Jenn Dixon was tragically killed by a drunk driver. She was leaving her nursing shift at Hill House Hospice early Friday morning when her car was struck by a drunk driver.
“Jenn spent her entire career making sure people were at peace and taken care of in their end of life. She wasn't given that same respect, she lost her life suddenly because of someone else's poor decision to drive drunk. She leaves behind three amazing children and a loving husband. We are asking for help with creating the future for her kids she wasn't able to complete. Thank you so much for all of your support at this incredibly difficult time. We are asking that any gifts or donations be made here, in a fund for her children's future.
Within two hours and at the time of publication, 70 people have donated $6,473. The online memorial fund has so far been shared 1,100 times on Facebook.
An outpouring of support is flooding the comments section of the Jenny Dixon Memorial GoFundMe page.
“There are no words that can describe the sadness that I feel for the family and friends of Jenny Dixon,” Barbara Sitko Kwapis wrote. “My prayers and thoughts are with them.”
Michelle Adams wrote: “Jenn took care of my mom at Hill House. I am so saddened by this news. We extend our condolences and prayers for her, family, and friends."
“Impaired drivers need heavier consequences, so unfair to those children and her husband to go on without her,” wrote Kyla Pugliese. “Drinking and driving destroys lives forever!”
Police say Dixon was travelling in the right northbound lane just north of Aurora Road at about 2 a.m. when two vehicles collided. The victim's vehicle lost control and rolled over several times. Both vehicles ended up in the ditch.
"Officers went to her residence, knocked on the door and let her loved ones know, tragically, that she is never coming home, all at the hands of an impaired driver," Schmidt said.
With the devastating accident scene behind him on the video, Schmidt spoke strongly against impaired driving and made a heartfelt appeal to viewers to make responsible decisions not to drive when impaired.
"It's one of those things that happen far too often, that officers are knocking on doors, knowing that the words they tell them will change their lives forever," he said.
"This is unbelievably frustrating, and preventable. If you are going to be drinking or impairing yourself by any means, it is your responsibility and obligation never to drive. This is exactly what we're seeing here right now, a family will grieve the loss forever ... as a result of someone's bad decision."
The accused appeared in court this morning for a bail hearing, Schmidt said.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
To donate to the Jenny Dixon Memorial fund, visit here
