Mother and newborn united for first time following collision in Sault Ste. Marie

Two weeks after a two-year-old was killed in a collision in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., a special moment between surviving members of the family has offered a glimmer of hope amid the tragedy. 

Wendy Hinan got to meet and hold her newborn daughter, Verena, for the very first time during an emotional interaction on Tuesday, according to the family’s personal injury lawyer Darcy Merkur. 

“I understand there were a lot of tears and joy in the room,” Merkur said. “I don’t think they’ve had the chance to absorb the loss of their son, but it’s been a long time coming for Wendy to see her daughter.”

Although they each have long roads ahead of them, Wendy and Verena are both expected to survive. 

The two have been receiving care at two different hospitals in Toronto since the collision — Wendy at St. Michael’s and Verena at Sick Kids. 

Hinan was seven months pregnant with Verena when she was driving home with her two-year-old son on Jan. 7. A police investigation revealed her vehicle was struck head-on by a van after it veered into oncoming traffic.

Hinan required an emergency C-section immediately following the crash, leaving both mother and baby in critical condition. 

Her son Devereaux, meanwhile, died while receiving care at Sick Kids.

While the family is not speaking directly to the media, they’ve been passing along updates and photos through Merkur — a Toronto-based attorney working on their case. 

“The baby went some time without oxygen and will have a significant head injury, but she’s doing okay all things considered,” Merkur said. 

“Wendy is likely to make a decent recovery. She’s going to have very serious mobility issues that could affect her permanently, but she’s in good spirits.”

Sault Ste. Marie Police confirmed last week the unnamed 43-year-old driver of the van died as a result of their injuries from the collision.

Merkur does not believe their death will impact the investigation or Hinans’ case in any significant way. 

“When people die, you end up suing their estate,” he explained. “Police will still do a full accident reconstruction in a case of this nature, and we'll find out more about the conduct of the defendant prior to getting in this accident.”

Merkur said the Hinans want to express their appreciation to the staff at St. Michael’s and Sick Kids, as well as the people who have supported them through their GoFundMe page.

The campaign has raised nearly $275,000 as of Wednesday afternoon.

“They will need [that money] in the long run,” Merkur said. 

“It’s important to have some options and funding available to deal with issues that aren’t clearly addressed through their various claims that I’m helping them with.”