Roadside memorial in Niagara honours woman killed by impaired driver, reminds public to prevent future tragedies

A roadside memorial has been set up in Niagara to honour a 34-year-old woman who was killed in an impaired driving crash in July 2022. The emotions surrounding that day are still fresh three years later.

“She was like a rainbow. There’s no rainbows now,” says Darlene Jones, Ashley’s Mother.

It was an emotional day in Niagara-On-The-Lake as the community and family members gathered to remember 34-year-old Ashley Vaillancourt.

“I wish she were here every single day. She did not deserve to die so young,” Jones says.

A sign was unveiled today across the street from where she was killed in an impaired driving crash on July 9, 2022.

She was a passenger in a car driven by her then spouse who is now behind bars.

“I collapsed and said ‘please not my baby,’ that was the worst day of my life,” says Darlene Jones.

Three years later, the emotions are still fresh for the family, especially Vaillancourt’s daughter, Solora, who was only 10 when her mother died.

READ MORE: MADD Canada to unveil Niagara roadside memorial for woman killed by impaired husband

“She always used to sing me songs to bed, and I know that’s pretty childish, but I miss it. I get sleepless nights thinking about it because I don’t have my mom,” Solora Lewis says.

Now, her family clings tightly to the memories she left behind.

“Her favourite song would come on and she would just get up and start dancing. I can just hear her now just dancing up in the clouds,” says Charlene Jones, Ashley’s Sister.

The roadside memorial not only honours Ashley Vaillancourt’s memory but also serves as an important and powerful reminder to drivers.

“The fact is that it’s 100% preventable. People don’t need to do it. Make choices and choose to be safe,” says Dawn Regan, MADD Canada’s Chief Operating Officer.

But still, Niagara police data shows that hundreds of people choose to get behind the wheel impaired each year, including 526 people who were charged in 2024.

“There are many people that are affected by this. The community is affected and our police officers are affected as well after going to collision, after collision after collision,” says Chief Bill Fordy from Niagara Regional Police Service.

Vaillancourt’s daughter hopes that this sign will make someone think twice about driving impaired.

“It’s a horrible thing to do. There’s no good outcome. You will either end up in jail or feel horrible for the rest of your life. Just don’t do it. It’s simple,” says Solora Lewis.

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