Loved ones hope young woman’s death in alleged impaired driving crash near Edmonton saves others

Huddled collectively exterior the Edmonton courthouse, their grief was palpable.

Household and associates of 21-year-old Maygen Bell-Cirone wore customized shirts that learn “Justice for Maygen” whereas holding home made indicators on Wednesday.

“It’s not one thing I ever thought I’d should undergo, to say goodbye to her. It’s one thing I don’t suppose myself or any of us are going to ever get better from,” mentioned Lauren Putters, Bell-Cirone’s finest pal.

Bell-Cirone had been out ingesting with associates. On Sept. 11, her mother Linda Bell texted her daughter’s cellphone and acquired a name again instantly.

“Cam phoned me at 7:02 and mentioned, ‘Linda, there’s been a nasty accident. You’ll want to come instantly.’”

Bell began driving, not realizing precisely the place she was headed, however she adopted the lights of first responders to the scene, off Freeway 19 and 138 Avenue, close to the airport.

“Cam mentioned, ‘Linda, I don’t know what occurred,’ and I fell to my knees as a result of I noticed the injury to the automotive,” she recalled.

“The firemen picked me up and walked me over to the ambulance and opened the door. They instructed the attendants, ‘Mother’s right here,’ and so they mentioned, ‘We don’t have time. We’ve to go. Shut the door.’”

READ MORE: Family of teen killed in Edmonton hit and run prepares for trial Monday

So as soon as once more, Bell acquired into her automotive, following the ambulance to the hospital.

She couldn’t see her daughter there, both. Bell-Cirone was being examined by docs and surgeons. She had lower-body accidents.

At one level, Bell mentioned Bell-Cirone went for a CT scan, which revealed the younger lady didn’t have any mind operate.

Solely then did her household get an opportunity to say goodbye.

“She by no means awakened however we had an opportunity to speak to her and maintain her hand, and inform her how a lot we cherished her,’” Bell mentioned.

The information unfold shortly. Bell-Cirone was a passenger within the car that day. Cam, the one who’d referred to as her mother, was the motive force. He was an in depth pal, who’d even lived with Bell-Cirone’s household for just a few years previously.

RCMP mentioned he was going quick and began drifting earlier than hitting a pole.

“Truthfully, I’ve by no means been so heartbroken,” mentioned Putters.

Most likely one of many worst days of my life,” recalled Sung Saunders, one other one in every of Bell-Cirone’s associates.

READ MORE: ‘They loved their mommy so much’: Alberta sees increase in fatal collisions involving drugs, alcohol

Investigators charged 22-year-old Cameron Klatt with impaired driving inflicting demise.

He was alleged to enter a plea in court docket Wednesday, however the look was rescheduled.

“It’s actually onerous since you need justice, however then again, you recognize the individual. It makes it troublesome,” Bell-Cirone’s mother mentioned.

“He was a giant a part of our household, and we trusted him with Maygen. We by no means thought he would do her any hurt.”

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Associates, household name for ‘Justice for Maygen’ after deadly collision south of Edmonton

Bell-Cirone is being remembered as an outgoing, carefree younger lady.

“She cherished making bracelets, arts and crafts. She cherished being along with her associates,” Putters mentioned.

“She was at all times joyful. Didn’t matter in case you have been in a nasty temper, she might cheer you up anytime, dancing and singing. She was an important massive sister,” Bell mentioned.

The crash scene has been cleaned up, however now a memorial is a continuing reminder of a life reduce quick. Dying flowers, melted candles and loving messages are left behind for a younger lady who won’t ever get the prospect to satisfy her goals.

“That’s in all probability the worst half. She simply wished to be a mother. She wished to assist individuals. She was going to go to highschool to be a social employee,” Bell mentioned.

“They have been simply 10 minutes from Maygen’s home when it occurred. She was so near coming dwelling, however she by no means made it via that door,” Putters defined.

Whereas nothing can deliver Bell-Cirone again, her family members hope her demise is a wake-up name to others.

“It’s reckless and simply idiocy to drink and drive, actually. It simply causes hurt,” Saunders mentioned.

“Name an Uber, name your mother, name me. I’ll decide you up. Simply don’t get in that automotive,” Bell mentioned, combating again tears.

“Consuming and driving and reckless driving is harmful and it could possibly impression your life in a manner you’ll by no means know. It took our daughter, and we simply miss her each day.”

The Bell-Cirone household has arrange a GoFundMe page to help them with funeral bills and misplaced wages.