Care home residents: Road is dangerous

Fatal collision leaves many afraid to try to cross busy Montreal Road

Residents of a long-term care home say the east-end road where a woman in a wheelchair died while crossing it is hazardous.

The 60-year-old woman died around 11:45 p.m. on Sunday when a westbound car collided with her electric wheelchair as she crossed Montreal Road near Elwood Street, just east of Blair Road.

Ottawa police say the woman was returning from a trip to a store and was travelling through an opening in the median on Montreal Road when she was struck. She was not using the crosswalk across from the store. The investigation is still ongoing, but alcohol is not a factor.

The woman, whose name has not been released, was a resident of Extendicare Laurier Manor.

On Monday, residents at Laurier Manor said they are concerned about traffic on Montreal Road and the difficulty they have crossing the street. Residents often go to the corner store to make purchases.

‘The light doesn’t stay on long enough to cross the street,” said Guy Laflamme, who uses a walker. “The vehicles go too fast. There should be a sign out that says ‘elderly crossing.’”

Laflamme said he used to cross the four lanes of traffic through the opening in the median, which is just across from Laurier Manor. “I’m afraid to cross now,” he said.

“You’re worried every time you go on the pavement,” said Ken Campbell, who uses an electric wheelchair and crosses the street two or three times a week.

M.Y. Food Mart owner Jack Chen said the woman who died would come to the store sometimes two or three times a day. He said the intersection across from his store is dangerous. Two cars collided there on Friday, he said. It is also frustrating for pedestrians.

“It takes a long, long time for the light to change, even if you press the button.”

Both Laflamme and Campbell knew the woman only as Laurie.

“She had a heart of gold. She would help everyone,” said Campbell, adding that Laurie would often go to the corner store for less-mobile friends.

“I just don’t know what she was doing out so late at night.”

Laflamme said Laurie had multiple sclerosis and moved to Laurier Manor seven or eight months ago. She has an adult son who was getting married in the fall, and was looking forward to the wedding.

“She showed me the dress she was going to wear. She was a nice woman.”

Only about a dozen of the 242 residents at Laurier Manor come and go frequently without assistance, said administrator Pamela Nisbet. Most residents leave with a family or a volunteer.

For those who are at liberty to come and go, there is no limitation on the hours they may leave, but they must sign out as a courtesy.

Laurier Manor won’t change its policies as a result of the tragedy. said Nisbet.

There is a warning sign at the top of the hill, but not below it. She hopes media attention around the woman’s death will prompt the city to add more signs.

“Its such a tragedy. She was such a vibrant personality.”