Girgis, 26, was fatally wounded and pronounced dead at the scene at University Avenue and Wellington Street, where seven others were injured. Nitan Thakur, the driver of the Jeep, which allegedly collided with two other cars and another pedestrian, has been arrested by the police. “It wasn’t an accident … you can’t say it was an accident,” said Avril Higginson, Girgis’ mother. “My son died, Grigoris died, he was taken from all of us… I am beyond heartbroken.”
Read more: Man charged with impaired driving after fatal crash in downtown Toronto, kills 1, injures 7
Police said 26-year-old Thakur ran a red light at the intersection. Story continues below ad “He was well-liked by his friends, he was an honest person and (he) would help anyone,” Atef Girgis, Gregory’s father, told Global News. Girgis’ youngest son, Victor, came home from work in the early hours of Saturday morning to find Toronto police officers waiting on the doorstep. They gave the terrible news. “I haven’t slept since,” said his mother. Trending Stories
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“I couldn’t believe it,” his father said. “We will miss him”. About 100 people stopped at the crash site, where Girgis’ family shed tears and told stories about the person they lost. He was remembered as a kind, hardworking and adventurous young man. The scene of Friday night’s disaster has been transformed, with flowers and a memorial on Saturday replacing the wreckage that preceded it. At one point, Girgis’ father knelt down, picking up the sand authorities had left there – remembering where his son had disappeared. “His soul is a very entertaining soul. he loved to travel,” said his older sister, Sarah Munoz. “I would lead the way and then he would follow me on my travels around the world, but then he replaced me and traveled to many more countries than I – a globetrotter at heart.”
Read more: Man wanted after allegedly following woman as she drove home: Toronto police
Story continues below ad Thakur, the driver, is scheduled to appear in court on Saturday. He faces six charges including impaired operation causing death, dangerous driving causing death and impaired operation causing bodily harm. For the family whose lives were torn apart by the incident, it is unfathomable that someone could get behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking. “You have Uber, you have taxis, call a friend, hire a driver,” Higginson said. “It’s tragic, he shouldn’t have gone because of the negligence of a drunk driver.” Grigoris’ father, like the rest of his family, is at a loss. “I don’t know, I don’t know how I feel. People make huge mistakes and someone always pays the price,” said Atef Girgis. “I don’t believe in revenge, he was just an idiot who made a wrong decision… it’s sad, it’s sad.” © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
