Xavier Labelle Victim Impact Statement - Tanya and Paul LaBelle This was a senseless tragedy, and to even try to convey, even a fraction of the impact that this has had in a Victim Impact Statement, is impossible. Words both written and spoken can never convey the impact that the tragic crash on April 6, 2018 had on our son Xavier and our family. The re?ection on how this has impacted us required us to go backwards on ajourney of healing to the darkest days, weeks and months of our lives. This in itself is an extremely painful process. Perhaps describing the images and moments that continue to play through our minds is a starting point. Tanvas The images ofthe scene ofdevastation continually pass through our minds as vividly as if it was yesterday. The heart-wrenching panicked phone call from our older son, Isaac, telling us that the Bronco bus was in an accident. A few minutes later,just after 6 pm, we arrived at the dread-tilled scene. Watching Paul run down the highway. The faces. The voices. The sounds. The vehicles. Ambulances. Helicopters. The panic. The agony. The horror. And then running down the highway holding the hand ofour 9 year old daughter, Viviana, desperate to find our son; her brother. 111111; As an emergency room physician and STARS transport physician, 1 immediately grabbed my medical bag from the vehicle that I had with me, and ran towards the devastating scene. As I ran I called STARS link center who assured me both the Regina and Saskatoon STARS AMC and physicians were en route. Nothing can prepare a parent for the heart wrenching carnage that was before me. I was standing between the front of the overturned Semi and the remains of the bus. An RCMP officer stopped me and seeing my distress he talked me out of entering the scene further to help but rather to go be with Tanya and Viviana. He stressed we needed to be together at this time. Tanya: We were told that there were no survivors left on the scene and directed to a church in Nipawin to wait for news. Other parents were there as well, some having already been turned away from the hospital. Periodically parents were called and then left to be with their son at the hospital. The agony ofwaiting, and praying, in the midst of so many people, feeling sick, worried, panicked, not getting called to go to the hospital, and then hours later, hearing that our son did not make it to the hospital. The faces ofthe other families present receiving that same news, is emblazoned in our minds. 3% We were told to go home and wait for the coroner to contact us. The drive back to Saskatoon over the midnight hours, was excruciating. We were horrified, after being told our son had not made it to the hospital, that he was laying dead in the cold ?eld. We were told that they would move the bodies to Saskatoon as soon as they could. After a long dif?cult drive back to Saskatoon we talked to the Physician staff to see ifthere had been an error and that perhaps somehow Xavier had made it there. We learned there was one unidentified player, who had brown eyes, so this was not Xavier. Again, we were devastated. Tanya: After a sleepless night, we and the other families ofthe deceased met with the coroner and RCMP at the funeral home at 1 pm. We were accompanied by 5 ofour family members. We were the last ofthe families present to be taken to identify our son. This situation has affected us all and shook us to the core. Once we were called for our turn around 3:30 pm, our son/brother/nephew/grandson was unrecognizable to us. We immediately stated that it was not Xavier. The staff was apologetic and took us to a room where we waited a few minutes to be shown another boy, which again, we knew right away that he was not our son. 11% Now we were very anxious and confused as maybe Xavier was still trapped at the scene or perhaps had wandered off into the fields unnoticed. We were assured the 29 people on the bus were all accounted for. Filled with restrained hope, around 4:00, we rushed to the RUH hospital and spoke to the staff caring for the injured. We showed them pictures and described our son hoping he was there. The staff members were sympathetic, but let us know that all of the players were identified and that our son was not there. We were confused and filled with anguish, not sure what to do. Tanya: I asked, "Then where is our son?? We made another desperate panicked plea for an additional search ofthe crash site in case he was left in the field. I felt horrified at the thought of Xavier being out in that cold field still, and asked ifthey had police dogs out there to make sure that everyone was accounted for, and was assured that there was no one remaining on the scene. Xavier was the only one left to be identified. We began to think that if he wasn?t at the hospital, maybe in our grief, and due to the injuries, perhaps we were blinded by grief and were only hoping our son wasn?t in the morgue. In our grief stricken state, we returned to the funeral home around 5:30 pm. We spent a long time with who we now began to believe must be the body ofour son. We tried to find scars and birth marks that might help us. We could not find them. We noted discrepancies, but there were explanations given for the uncertainties. We looked up the contact information for Xavier?s orthodontist and gave it to the authorities asking for dental records to be reviewed. This was agreed to, although we were told that it would delay things. We needed to be 100% sure and said that it would be OK for his autopsy to be performed last if necessary. anym'We were slowly accepting that this might be our son and we grieved deeply over this boy. Painfully. l-lorrif'ically. Holding him. Weeping. Nose bleeding. Bawling. We returned home from the morgue after 7:30 pm. Our families and friends gathered amidst the chaos and turmoil of the senseless tragedy. We didn?t sleep. We didn?t know what to do. People were coming from afar for a funeral. Unfathomable tragedy. Chaos in our home. Chaos in our hearts. Paul: We started the unimaginable task ofplanning a funeral for one of our children. A task 14 other families had also begun and sadly a task 2 more families would also begin in the next couple of days. Those that had passed away and their families were not strangers to us. We were already a family bonded by our loved ones that were the Broncos. I had gotten to know Darcy and Dayna quite well as team physician for the 2016-17 year. We visited frequently during the intermission or post game consults. Over this past year I had many opportunities to visit with Mark and Chris. They were not only very good in their roles with the Broncos, but as we all know now, such incredible people. I remained on speed dial with Dayna, over the past season, as I was often at the rink, and still met and cared for many of the players whom we have grown to know and love. Tanva: Xavier?s billet brothers, Logan and Adam both passed away in the crash. Xavier and Logan had become good friends and brothers over the year. In the short time Adam was with them, he became a good friend and brother as well. This was the second year that Xavier was billeted with the Cannon family, and we know that they love and care deeply about their billet sons. Xavier grieves deeply for his fallen brothers, and teammates, and the Broncos staff that passed away. Paul: During the hockey season, several ofthe players had stayed with us in Saskatoon while they wrote the SAT exam, had day surgery, or while travelling to and from their out of province homes. Ifthere had only been one casualty in this crash we would have been devastated. But for 16, including who we believed to be our son, the griefwas, and continues to be unimaginable. We along with many ofthe Bronco families attended the emotional Vigil in Humboldt. The outpouring ofsupport and grief from Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Canada and the world had begun. In sharing in our pain, there was some comfort. Tanya: It was shortly after the Vigil ended that we received the call that everyone now no longer expected. but had so desperately wanted to our son Xavier was alive! Miraculously he had survived the crash! We quietly left the vigil and in a discrete way outside, let our 15 family members with us, know our news, then rushed to the ICU in Saskatoon. We will never forget the trip back to Saskatoon as we hurried to Xavier?s bedside. Understandably joy sprang out ofour grief in an exponential way. We were told that he had many injuries, and a surgery. As we suddenly began this new journey, we worried how Xavier would be, given his injuries had prevented him from being identified for the first couple ofdays. We arrived to his beside with kisses and very, very gentle hugs ?lled with indescribablejoy and relief. Tanya: Yes, there was unspeakablejoy, and yet our griefalso continued. We met with the beautiful family that had been keeping vigil by Xavier?s side, comforting and holding his hand until we arrived. We know they cared for him as a son, and we are forever grateful. We grieved with them as they came to terms with the realization that their amazing son had not survived the crash. He too had stayed at our home one occasion during the season, and we were struck by his maturity and grace. An incredible young man. We are devastated for them and their family. Paul: Xavier?sjourney from ICU, to observation, Neurosurgical ward, the rehab unit at Saskatoon City Hospital and eventually home took 62 days. This was a roller coaster ride with many high and lows. Listening to your son scream in confused agony, on and off, for the first two weeks, was excruciating. He was heavily sedated, and from the head injury, amnestic to much of the first two weeks. Perhaps the easiest way to portray the impact physically on Xavier is to list the many injuries he has had to overcome. Fractured skull/Traumatic Brain Injury including: Post traumatic amnesia for approximately 2 weeks. Right subdural hematoma. Right frontal lobe, left frontal lobe, and right temporal lobe contusions Diffuse axonal injury Facial fractures Non-displaced sinus and orbital fractures Lacerations: 20 cm complex facial laceration from hairline, down middle of forehead across nasal bridge and left eyelid. Deep lacerations right occipital scalp/back ofhis head. Scarring on face, neck, head, arms, and back as a result of trauma. Cervical spine ligaments partial tears and sprains. Right hemopneumothorax/punctured lung requiring chest tube Bilateral severe pulmonary contusions Fractured right ribs Lacerated liver Lacerated right kidney Left scapula fracture Right sternoclavicular sprain Spine fractures Xavier had 16 fractures to his Spine C6 Cortical fracture C7 Spinous Process Fracture Non-displaced fractures Right transverse processes (L1 to L4) Vertebral Spinous fractures (T12 to L3) Compression fractures of spine (T4, T5, T6) He sustained an unstable comminuted L5 burst fracture, which was fortunately below where the spinal cord ends, but this injury damaged the nerves to his legs. This unstable fracture required surgical stabilization with fusion from L4-S 1. He also fractured his Right and Left sacrum. Left Arm Nerve Damage Left Brachial Plexus injury with no function to left axillary nerve. Atrophy of left shoulder muscles/deltoid, teres minor, affecting range of motion, strength and mobility. Right and Left Leg Nerve Damage L5 nerve damage resulting in weakness to both hips and lower legs affecting gait. Right side worse than left. This contributed to the long hospitalization as it took time to regain enough strength to start walking again. These continue to heal and will take up to 1-2 years before we know the permanence ofthe damage. Facial Nerve Damage associated with forehead laceration. Soft tissue crush injury to right arm and many other lacerations arms and body. Post-traumatic stress and grief Initially intubation was required as a result ofthe poly trauma and concerns around his breathing. He had surgery on Sunday morning to stabilize his spine. It was following the removal of his breathing tube Sunday evening that he declared who he was. Xavier was on a variety of medications, and required numerous medical procedures and treatments during his stay. Xavier was hospitalized for 62 days. Tanva: Xavier continues to require medical care. Nerve conduction studies are being done every three months to monitor damaged arm and leg nerves. In October it was determined that the left shoulder nerve was not going to heal. A surgery was recommended in Calgary that offered only a 66% success rate. We planned to go ahead with this surgely, however, we used our personal funds to pay for, and travel for a second opinion and assessment on the shoulder nerve at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. We were presented with an option that had the potential for a better outcome, and for which we had not been offered at the assessments in Canada. Due to the time sensitivity of nerve injuries, and the fact that the window was closing on this option, the nerve surgery was offered to Xavier the next day. We contacted SCI and Sask Health for funding for what seemed to offer Xavier a better outcome. After trying to meet the requirements for out ofeountry medical care, we were denied. This was a frustrating scenario that created turmoil, conflict, and much second guessing on many levels. Pat?u]: On December 19, 2018, Xavier went ahead with the nerve transfer surgery in Calgary to try to improve function of his left shoulder. This, 3 hour surgery, required a 25 cm incision and immobilization in a sling for 4 weeks. The results of potential improvement will not be known for 6 to 12. months He is continuing with physio as an outpatient. This will continue for the forseeable future. Tanya: In late October, at a follow-up appointment, we learned that the titanium screws had broken, and the spinal fusion of L4 to 81 had failed. We are shocked and worried about the long term consequences ofthis complication. I worry about the future pain that this could mean and ifit will affect his mobility. Ongoing spine, neurology and surgical consultation to evaluate this failed spine fusion and broken titanium hardware is required. January 28 and 29 were spent investigating this further at the Mayo Clinic at our expense. Paul: Xavier continues to face daily challenges associated with the injuries inflicted on April 6. He has many appointments with medical specialists as a result ofhis injuries and will have testing this upcoming April in follow up to the Brain ury. Tanya: During the initial weeks and months, while coming to terms with Xavier?s injuries and his ongoing needs, our levels ofanxiety were extremely high. Sleep did not come often. We were still trying to come to terms with the loss ofso many ofthe Broncos team and staff. Sadness tears and grief over the loss ofso many loved ones, were intermingled with moments ofjoy, as Xavier made slow progress towards regaining independence. Trying to balance helping and encouraging Xavier in the hospital, and then subsequently at home, along with meeting the needs ofour family, and others, and basic needs, was challenging, and felt impossible at times. We continue to feel emotional about it all, and still feel like we are living in chaos and turmoil. I am struggling with navigating public situations, social interactions, and I am never really sure what to say to anyone. Repercussions from the tragedy have been exhausting and complicated for us. Conversation often returns to the tragic crash and the tears come easily. Starting in July I returned to work as an ER physician. This was very challenging for me given the traumatic event that had impacted me so profoundly, also affecting those that I work with day to day. Tanya and I continue to take time off to accompany Xavier to his appointments in Saskatoon, and elsewhere. Being self?employed, this has also challenged us financially. We have struggled with the magnitude ofthe emotions that resulted from the initial chaos and ongoing suffering experienced by Xavier. Xavier was named after his great grandfather and St. Francis Xavier. His name means ?bright? a name which he truly is growing into. He is such an amazing young man, who was a skilled and passionate hockey player, but so much more. He is exceptionally smart, creative, musical, and athletic. His bright blue eyes are often filled with a mischievous twinkle, and his beautiful smile and laugh are unforgettable. He is ?ercely loyal and protective. He is an amazing son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend. Tanya: As a young man Xavier has shown unbelievable courage over the last 9 months as he comes to terms with his injuries and the terrible loss ofso many teammates, friends and mentors. We are proud of Xavier as he successfully struggled through so many challenges and is now emerging into a bright hopeful future. He truly is a man ofgreat character showing perseverance, determination, optimism, compassion, and the will and desire to not let this define him as he moves forward. He remains mindful ofthose who did not survive grieving their loss in his way, and trying to honor them. Xavier?s injuries have affected him physically, mentally and emotionally. His goal and dream to play a higher level ofhockey through a hockey scholarship was suddenly and brutally taken away from him, in the most horrific circumstances. We are grateful to those reaching out to help Xavier adjust to the many changes he is facing. Pa_ul: Isaac. our older son. has been deeply affected by the tragedy on April 6 as well. We worry about him even though he has shown remarkable maturity and poise throughout this difficultjourney. Isaac was also a Humboldt Bronco at the beginning of the hockey season and got to know the Broncos until he was traded in October. Despite dealing with the chaos and emotion surrounding the crash, and the loss ofhis former teammates, Isaac through the strength of his amazing character, has been a steadfast support for Xavier, and all ofus, showing kindness, love and patience to those suffering around him. Following the crash, he has made a special effort, in many ways, to honour those that have been affected. Tanya: As parents, we continue to struggle with navigating these unprecedented unexpected times that were dramatic and often public. There is physical, emotional, financial and mental stress and anxiety associated with Xavier?s injuries and associated health care decisions that have potential long term implications. We worry about the emotional impact ofthis crash on each of our children. The sorrow felt as a parent to hear your child sobbing, and know that there is nothing you can do to make it right. We as parents, have struggled with feelings of sadness, helplessness, anger, frustration, sorrow, despair, feelings of inadequacy, and of being a failure, angst, fear, and exhaustion. The strain on our relationship, and those around us has been significant, as we attempt to communicate and heal during signi?cant ongoing stressors. We have received counselling to sort through the turmoil this has caused to us and our family. We continue to feel like we are in the midst of chaos. We grieve with the families that lost loved ones. We consider each person that was on that bus, their senseless death, and the families and loved ones left behind; the parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles, friends, girlfriends, partners, wives and children. We consider the heartache ofbirthdays, weddings, births, funerals, Christmas, celebrations, school days, weekends, mornings, afternoon and nights. We consider those that were injured on the bus and the lives that are forever changed. Their direction has been altered in ways that are unfathomable, and in ways that are indescribable. We also consider those that were not on the bus, but whose lives have forever changed. Pat?til: Perhaps the magnitude of the impact on Xavier, our family, and our Bronco family as a whole, is best reflected by the unprecedented, immeasurable outpouring of love and support that we received following this tragedy. The written and spoken words, prayers, acts of kindness, hugs, tears, and support shown towards us from family, friends, our Broncos families, coworkers, neighbors, faith communities, our large extended hockey family, strangers, religious and political leaders, health care providers, musicians, and hockey legends has been unbelievable. Truly in the face of great tragedy the compassion, kindness and love ofothers has prevailed. We cannot adequately thank all those that have reached out to ease our families pain and suffering. We want each and every one to know that your efforts were greatly appreciated and that day by day, with your help, we are getting stronger. In conclusion, we would like to read an adapted version ofthe lyrics from the song Empty Chairs and Empty Tables from the Les Miserables musical. There's a grief that can't be spoken. There's a pain goes on and on. Empty lockers and empty benches, Now my friends are dead and gone. Here they talked of championships, Here it was they prepped for games, Here they talked about tomorrow and tomorrow never came. From the table in the corner. They could see a victory born, And they rose with voices ringing. And 1 can hear them now The very words that they have spoken Became their last communion On this lonely intersection, at dusk. Oh my friends, my friends forgive me That I live and you are gone There's a grief that can't be spoken, And there's a pain goes on and on Phantom faces at the glass, Phantom shadows on the ice. Empty lockers at empty benches where my friends will meet no more. Oh my friends, my friends don't ask me What your sacrifice was for Empty lockers and empty benches Where my friends will be no more. Words Adapted from original Songwriters: Alain Albert Boublil Claude Michel Schonberg Herbert Kretzmer for Empty Chairs at Empty Tables lyrics (0 Warner/Chappell Music, Inc There's a griefthat can't be spoken. There's a pain goes on and on. Empty chairs at empty tables, Now my friends are dead and gone. Here they talked of revolution. Here it was they lit the ?ame, Here they sang about tomorrow and tomorrow never came. From the table in the corner. They could see a world reborn, And they rose with voices ringing. And I can hear them now The very words that they have sung Became their last communion On this lonely barricade. at dawn. Oh my friends, my friends forgive me That I live and you are gone There's a grief that can't be spoken, And there's a pain goes on and on Phantom faces at the window, Phantom shadows on the ?oor. Empty chairs at empty tables where my friends will meet no more. Oh my friends, my friends don't ask me What your sacrifice was for Empty chairs at empty tables Where my friend will sing no more. Original Words From Songwriters: Alain Albert Boublil Claude Michel Schonberg t' Herbert Kretzmer Empty Chairs at Empty Tables lyrics Warner/Chappell Music, Inc Xavier LaBelle 18 Years Old Determined, Courageous Academic, Creative, Artistic, Musical, Multi-Sport Athlete, Strong, Loyal, Compassionate, Beautiful Smile Viviana laBelle, (9 years old) - with the poster she had made to 2918/ o?/hleuk' cheer the Humboldt Broncos on April 6, 20l3. Photo Taken at 4:35 pm in Wakovr, SK en route to Game 5 in llipavrin. About an hour later, we received a frantic phone call from Isaac lollelle telling us about the deadly crash. Xavier had so many iniuries including fractured skull, fractured facial bones, brain iniury, broken scapula, 16 broken vertebrae, broken ribs, punctured lungs, lacerated kidney, lacerat- ed liver, broken sacrum, torn muscles and ten- dons, nerve domage, and facial and body lacer- ations. On April 8, he had a surgery to stabilize his Spine. He has had many tests, procedures by many medical personel, and exceptional care,and life saving treatment for which we are so grateful. jag aria lif Difficult to describe the heartbreaking agony of watching your child suffer. Witnessing your child in excruciating pain is torture. Xavier does not recall the crash on April 6 or the following two weeks. Every part of his body hurt. 3 person assist 2 person assist 1 person and walker assist During the hospital stay, there were many invasive and difficult procedures necessary. Catheters, blood drains, enemas, needles, There were many medications required, some given intravenously, and some as pills, such as the morning close in the photo. So much to consider. Since he has been released from the hospital, he is not currently taking any medication, even though he is still affected by the injuries. He continues with physiotherapy and knows that his body and back is still healing and requires more rest than typical, requiring to be in supine position often. There are many ongoing appointments, such as nerve conduction tests to assess the damaged nerves in his left arm and both legs, which affects his gait. He is disciplined to attend physiotherapy and works hard to do the given exercises. Xavier?s left arm axillary nerve was damaged in the crash, causing atrophy and loss of function. On December 19, 2018, Xavier had a nerve transfer surgery in (algary attempting to regain some innervation to the deltoid muscle. If this surgery has been successful to recov- er some function, he will not lcnovr for 6 to 12 months. With regards to health care, and insurance, the decision making around this surgery was frustrating and challenging. SPINAL FUSION SURGERY 0F [4 to In October, it was discovered that two of the four titanium screws (such as shown in photo) used in the to SI spinal fusion surgery broke in half. The titanium hardware is moving and the fusion failed (as shown in the x-roy). We are shocked and worried about the long term consequences of this complication. We continue to seek additional professional advice on January 28/29 on how this should be managed. it I I 'Iyin-ig l" I'd-ll us,- Xavier continues to face daily challenges associated with the iniuries inflicted on April 6. Rather than chasing a dream to play at the next levels in hockey through a hockey scholarship, this year is dedicated to medical appointments, getting stronger, and healing. He is facing all of this with incredible strength and courage. As parents, we continue to struggle with navigating these unprecedented unexpected times that were dramatic and often public. There is physical, emotional, financial and mental stress and anxiety associated with Xavier's iniuries and the associated health care decisions that have potential long term implications. We have struggled with feelings of sadness, helplessness, anger, frustration, sorrow, despair, feelings of inadequacy, and of being a failure, angst, fear and exhaustion. The strain on our relationship, and those around us has been significant, as we attempt to communicate and heal during significant ongoing stressors. We have received counselling to sort through the turmoil this has caused to us and our family. Although we still feel like we are in the midst of chaos, day by day, we are healing. We grieve with the families that lost loved ones. We consider each person that was on that has, their senseless death, and the families and loved ones left behind; the parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles, friends, girlfriends, partners, wives and children. We consid- er the heartache of birthdays, weddings, births, funerals, Christmas, celebrations, school days, weekends, mornings, afternoons and nights. We consider those that were iniured on the bus and the lives that are forever changed. Their di- rection has been altered in ways that are unfathomable, and in ways that are indescribable. We also consider those that were not on the bus, but whose lives have been impacted. immeasureoble outpouring of love and support that we received following this tragedy. The written and spoken words, prayers, acts of kindness, hugs, tears, and support shown towards us from family, friends, coworkers, neighbours, faith communities, our large extended hockey family, strangers, the media, religious and political leaders, health care providers, musicians, and hockey legends has been unbelievable. Truly in the face of great tragedy the compassion, kindness and love of others has prevailed. We cannot adequately thank all of those that have reached out to ease our families' pain and suffering. We want each and everyone to know that your efforts were greatly appreciated, and that day by day, with your help, we are getting stronger. Police Service: RCMP Division Offence Date: April 6, 2018 Offence Location: Intersection of Highway 35 and Highway 335 (south of Nipawin) Incident File Number: 2018-446743 I am the Grandma of Xavier LaBelle and I can say that my family has lived the most horrific year of our lives. Each of us in our own way are damaged and are working very hard to heal and move forward. As parents of Tanya, we moved into Paul and Tanya?s home for over 2 months while Xavier was in the hospital to help as best we could. We experienced every step of this extremely painful journey throughout this long hard year. We witnessed Xavier?s extreme pain and injuries. We continue to see the struggles that Tanya, Paul and Xavier have, dealing with on-going serious health issues as he tries to get good treatment for his damaged body. Today I can say we are changed people in our own way and we are trying so hard to heal. This tragedy has left me: BITTERNESS That Paul, an ER doctor was at the scene of the accident and was not allowed in to the bus to perhaps help his son or others. This was a chance perhaps Xavier could have been properly identified and helped more effectively. That we were told Xavier was dead when, after the facts had become known about the misidentification, I personally met people who told me that they had seen Xavier and knew he was alive. That we grieved for and started planning a funeral, and watched a 20 year old brother, and a 9 year old sister, scream and cry in distress, and helplessness while their parents were also in hysterics accepting the death of their son/brother. TORTURE That we walked into the funeral home to identify Xavier and our first reaction was that this was not Xavier - not his hands, not his teeth, not his clothes, and not his jaw or hairline! And then we looked at a second body, and again, knew it was not Xavier To watch our daughter, in hysterics beg to go back to accident scene because her son?s body must be out there in the frozen snow, to watch our son in law try to make sense of what was happening. This is one of the worst things we dealt with. To later be told all the other passengers have been accounted for so it has to be! Absolutely an insane experience. So we all went home to accept the death of Xavier. SADNESS To walk into a memorial and see hundreds of intensely grieving loved ones, moms, dads, grandparents, spouses, children, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, friends all trying to accept the immense senselessness of the situation. To see how a talented, healthy, highly academic and athletic 18 year old has been forced to re-invent his future dreams and goals. Knowing that our 9 year old grand daughter, Xavier?s sister, saw the chaos of the crash scene and had to think her brother was dead, and then witness his prolonged suffering. She was often cared for by others, because her mom, dad and brother were busy caring for Xavier. At her young age, she is not able to make sense of any of this. To see how Isaac has been affected. I believe, as a young man, this has impacted him in so many ways. However, he is doing an incredible job of handling the intensity of this situation. To see how my daughter and son in law continue to be affected. I see my daughter second guess every single decision that she makes. I know that they are having trouble sleeping, have felt helpless, anxious, conflicted, depressed, and in pain over their son, as well as all the other victims WORRIED In order to get the most effective treatment for Xavier?s massive injuries, Paul and Tanya still take time off work. I have witnessed the pressure of them trying to make decisions for health care, and other situations associated with the crash. Recently, Xavier has had complications associated with his injuries. Tanya and Paul decided to pay to get a second opinion at the Mayo Hospital for serious unusual damages to his arm and spine. In November, a recommendation was to have a time sensitive surgery immediately at the Mayo, which had not been offered to them in Canada. However, they could not get approval for this surgery. Consequently, they returned to Calgary to accept a different kind of surgery and are praying that it will be successful. I have seen the turmoil and conflict that this created for them. Xavier is in the midst of trying to figure out what to do about his failed spinal fusion. They must now consider the potential side effects, of yet, another surgery. This is all extremely complicated and stressful for a 19 year old and his family. No organization or person will ever be able to help with the emotional damage this family has, and is still in enduring. Hopefully, they will get the best treatment possible for Xavier who had his future changed for him drastically! GRATEFUL We must look forward to the future and we are grateful to have Xavier with us. We pray that one day this tragedy will not define him or any of us. We must believe that one day, Xavier, and all of us, will heal physically, mentally, and emotionally. Thank you. Diane Police Service: RCMP Division Offence Date: April 6, 2018 Offence Location: Intersection of Highway 35 and Highway 335 (south of Nipawin) Incident File Number: 2018-446743 This is the Victim Impact Statement of Richard regarding Mr. jaskirat Singh Sidhu. Mr. Sidhu, you have changed my life and the lives of my family and extended family forever! You are responsible for sending me to HELL for which I am still coming back. Mr. am Rick the grandfather of Xavier LaBelle, who is one of my six special grandchildren. On the morning of April 6, 2018, Xavier was a healthy, gifted athlete, academic, achieving 18 year old member of the Humboldt Bronco's with a bright future athletically and academically. This all changed at 5:00 pm on the same day when your actions changed Xavier?s world, and the world of my family and 1. Mr. Sidhu, you are responsible for my family and I being told that Xavier was dead and the immense grief with the loss of a grandchild under the most horrific tragedy. Xavier was dead and I watched my family deal with unbelievable grief; deal with being told one of two other unclaimed boys was Xavier; deal with being told Xavier was not in the hospital when we were within 50 feet of where he was in the and watching my family being emotional wrecks in starting to plan for a funeral. Mr. was misidentified. When we were reunited with him in the ICU, it was an emotional high to see him alive, but absolutely heartbreaking to see the state of his broken and mangled body. Mr. Sidhu, you are responsible for the injuries to Xavier, which can only be described as massive. It was devastating to see how much pain Xavier was in even though he was highly drugged. I will never forget hearing his intense screaming for his severe pain even though he was behind several closed doors when he was being scanned for his spinal injuries. The extent of Xavier's spinal injuries changed his height from 6?3? to a loss of Mr. Sidhu, I hope that you have been provided with a list of catastrophic injuries, which Xavier incurred because of your actions. Mr. Sidhu, you are responsible for causing my family immense emotional pain and grief. have watched my daughter and son-in-law deal with medical, ?nancial, Saskatchewan Government Insurance and the Health Care System all with the purpose of getting the best possible care for their son. I have also watched the pain and anguish that they have gone through because of what they were put through as a family when it should never have happened. I have witnessed the grief of my family as they dealt with the consequences of this senseless tragedy affecting a son, a brother, a cousin, a nephew, and a grandchild. Mr. are responsible for causing Xavier massive physical injuries resulting in immense pain. He will require long term emotional and physical medical care. Mr. grandmother and I visited the crash site last October and we both immediately started to cry. This is the place where Xavier's life, and the lives of so many, were changed forever. Mr. Sidhu you are responsible for such a senseless tragedy that should never have happened and the impact it has had is far reaching and will last a lifetime. Richard January 19, 2018