‘A stand up kid’: Volleyball family remembers Walkerton crash victim as first anniversary nears

Danica Baker, 16, was one of the four Walkerton, Ont. area teens killed, alongside their coach, in a crash near Dorchester, Ont. on May 23, 2025. Her volleyball family has started a memorial bursary in Danica’s memory. (Source: Matt Pickett)

Danica Baker was one of the happiest people Matt Pickett has ever met.

“She was bubbly, charismatic, fun loving. Just everything you would wish for in a child, in your family,” said Pickett, president of the Bluewater Ballistix Volleyball Club.

Baker was one of four Walkerton area students killed, alongside their coach, in a crash near Dorchester on May 23, 2025. They were on their way back from a school softball tournament.

Baker enjoyed softball but volleyball was her passion. The 16-year-old from Mildmay quickly became a leader amongst the Bluewater Ballistix family.

“She’d always be the first one there on court. She’d always be the one working hard, and she would always be funny. it can’t be lost in all the grief, just how funny Danica was,” said Pickett.

To honour Baker, her Ballistix volleyball family started the Danica Baker Memorial Bursary Fund last September to assist families who need financial assistance to play Ballistix volleyball, as well as support players in their post-secondary school pursuits.

“Her family was coming from Mildmay sometimes to Kincardine, sometimes to Owen Sound, sometimes to Toronto. It’s never lost on the board just how expensive it is to do club sports. So, we thought it was a great way to honor her, her memory, and to ensure that those down the road know what number 11 was all about. And you can see the number 11 jersey behind me here. Number 11 holds a big part in our organization,” said Pickett.

Danica’s number 11 jersey wasn’t retired by Ballistix, rather revered, as a symbol of hard work and kindness.

“She was just a stand up kid. A real loss to the community, to the club, to the school, to everybody,” said Pickett.

Foundations and Memorial Funds have been created for all five victims of last May’s tragedy.

“The immediate reaction is grief, it’s extreme sadness, it’s community outpouring of support, club support. Everybody not knowing what to do to honor these young people and their teacher. I think over the course of the year, a little bit of healing comes from knowing that you’re trying to do something positive for the living. It won’t be the end of chapter, rather the beginning of a memory,” he said.

All this week, CTV News London will profile the foundations created by the friends and families of the five victims of last May’s tragedy. Students Danica Baker, Rowan McLeod, Kaydance Ford, Olivia Rourke, and coach/teacher Matt Eckert.