Family mourns loss of mother and daughter killed in Manitoba highway crash

A family in southern Manitoba is mourning the death of a mother and her eight-year-old daughter, who were both killed in a highway crash west of Altona last week.

"It's a very tragic thing that happened here," said Peter Unger, the father-in-law and grandfather to the woman and girl who died.

"Nobody wants to lose their children like this ever. This is like a big shock to everybody, to the whole family, it's been very hard," addedSusan Unger, Peter's wife.

Sara Unger, 35, and daughter Alexa Ungerwere heading home from the grocery store Friday evening when the driver of a semi-trailer crashed into their SUV at the intersection of highways 201 and 306.

RCMP say the driver of the semi, a 25-year-old man from Brampton, Ont., was eastbound on Highway 201 and had a stop signbut went through it, hitting the southbound SUV on Highway 306.

Sara, who is from the rural municipality of Rhineland, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her daughter was airlifted to Winnipeg's Health Sciences Centre, where she later died from her injuries.

Peter andSusan Ungerdrove from their home in Ontario after learningof the crash, to be with the family and comfort their son.

"He just totally collapsed yesterday because of this it's very, very hard for him," Petersaid.

On Sunday, the couple went to the site of the crash, where they combed through pieces of debris left from the vehicles.

"I wanted to see the spot where my daughter [in-law]had to give her life so instantly, so suddenly. It's just too much," Susansaid.

Peter and Susan said Sara was a mother of two, leaving behind a 10-year-old son. They described her as a devoted Christian who home-schooled thechildren and worked as a teacher at a church.

"She was very close to them she was very special to us, we love her just like our own daughters," Susan said.

The couple said they will rememberAlexa as a "hyper little girl" full of energy, whowould constantly hug them and look to spend time with them.

"I had a lot of fun with her, and she was a very lovable person," Petersaid. "It's not easy to come to see something like this."

The RCMP continue to investigate the crash and havespoken with several witnesses, including a woman who was driving behind Sara's SUV.

Thewoman said the semi appeared to have approached the intersection at a high speed,RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Paul Manaigre said.

No charges have been laid yet, but RCMP said on Saturday they are expected.

Don Wiebe, reeve of the rural municipality of Rhineland, extendedcondolences to the family and saidthe crash will be discussedat a council meeting on Monday.

Peter Unger, who used to be a truck driver, said the family is still looking for answers as to why the driver failed to stop.

"It shouldn't have happened, I don't know what he was thinking, you can hear the rumble [strips leading to] the stop sign. Why didn't he respond to that?" he said.

The family said funeral arrangements are on hold, pending autopsy results.

"We can't do anything to bring her backbut hopefully they will look into it taking care of whatever needs to be done," Susan Unger said.

Meanwhile, a fundraising campaign has been set up for Sara's husband and son.

Family mourns loss of mother and daughter killed in Manitoba highway crash

1 day ago

Duration 2:08

Sara Unger, 35, and her eight-year-old daughter, Alexa Unger, were heading home from the grocery store Friday evening when the driver of a semi-trailer crashed into their SUV on a highway west of Altona.