Northern Ontario Town of Moonbeam Mourns Loss of Four Young Lives in Tragic ATV Collision
Moonbeam, Ontario — A close-knit Northern Ontario community is reeling after a devastating crash in the early hours of Saturday morning claimed the lives of four young people, leaving the small town of just over 1,200 residents in deep mourning.
According to the Ontario Provincial Police, the collision occurred at approximately 3:20 a.m. when an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) carrying four individuals collided with a transport truck in Moonbeam. The impact was fatal.
All four occupants of the ATV — a 16-year-old, two 18-year-olds, and a 20-year-old — were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities later confirmed the victims’ first names as Audric, Audrie, Carley, and Loïc, but out of respect for grieving families, officials, including Mayor Luc Léonard, have chosen not to release their last names publicly.
A Town in Mourning
Mayor Léonard spoke with a heavy heart about the tragedy’s impact, saying the loss has rippled through every corner of the small town.
“Everybody’s related somehow,” he said. “And if it’s not by blood, it’s by friendship.”
He noted that the pain is especially profound for the parents and families who are now faced with unimaginable grief.
“It’s inconceivable for the mothers. It’s a very hard time,” he said.
The municipality announced that flags at all municipal buildings would fly at half-mast as a mark of respect for the young lives lost. The mayor added that the town would follow the lead of the families regarding memorials or vigils, emphasizing that the community’s role is to stand behind them and provide support.
Remembering the Victims
The shock of the crash is made even more painful by the fact that all four victims were well known and deeply connected within the community.
At the Moonbeam Golf Club, where Carley worked, manager Guy Boucher described her as a shining light whose kindness touched everyone she encountered.
“Carley was beautiful inside and out,” Boucher said. “She was the kindest person, and I know these all sound cliché, but it’s true. She was so kind, so strong, so smart.”
The tragedy also struck close to home for Boucher personally, as another one of the victims was his cousin’s son.
The deep interwoven nature of Moonbeam means that nearly everyone in town had a connection to at least one of the four young people. Many had grown up together, gone to school together, or worked at local businesses.
“Everybody knew all the kids,” Boucher reflected. “All the kids either grew up with each other, or they all worked at local businesses here, which made them familiar to everyone.”
Community Grieves Together
In a town where relationships and bonds are tight, the sense of collective loss is profound. Neighbours, friends, and families have come together to mourn, offering support to one another as they process the tragedy.
Counselors and support services are being made available for students, staff, and community members struggling with grief. Schools in the area are also preparing to offer spaces for remembrance when classes resume, ensuring that young people who were close to the victims have access to the help they need.
As the investigation into the cause of the crash continues, what remains clear is that Moonbeam is forever changed. The sudden loss of four young lives has left a wound that will take years to heal, if it ever does.
Mayor Léonard expressed that while nothing can erase the pain, what will help sustain the town in the days and weeks to come is the strength of its community.
“Whatever [the families] want, we will support them,” he said.
Honouring Their Memory
The names Audric, Audrie, Carley, and Loïc will not be forgotten in Moonbeam. Their laughter, energy, and presence will live on in the memories of classmates, friends, co-workers, and loved ones. For a town that prides itself on unity and closeness, their passing is not only the loss of four young people but the loss of part of Moonbeam’s heart.
As flags fly low and vigils are quietly planned, the community holds tightly to one another, finding comfort in shared sorrow and resilience.
