The identity of the 15-year-old killed in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., on Easter by an accused drunk driver, 18, was revealed Wednesday night in a touching tribute during an NHL playoff game.
Connor Dunn played forward for the U16 AA Jr. Greyhounds, so it was only fitting his memory was honoured during a hockey game.
During the second intermission of the Montreal Canadiens’ Game 2 against the Washington Capitals, Sportsnet broadcaster David Amber paid tribute to Dunn.
“Our hockey family here at Sportsnet sends out its deepest condolences to the Dunn family of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.,” Amber said.
“The Sault, one of the great hockey communities in all of Canada, this week tragedy hit as 15-year-old Connor Dunn died after being struck by an alleged impaired driver on Easter Sunday. Our thoughts are with the Dunn family: Mom Melanie, Dad John, Connor’s younger brother Cash, and their grandmother Sheila.”
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The tribute showed several photos of Dunn in both hockey and soccer uniforms.
Korah Collegiate & Vocational School, where Dunn attended high school, posted about the tribute with an image of a red and white jersey bearing No. 19 with wings and the words “forever in our hearts.”
There has been an outpouring of sorrow from the community since Dunn and another 15-year-old were struck by a pickup truck while riding on an E-bike in the area of Third Line West and Goulais Avenue around 1 a.m. April 20.
Dunn was pronounced dead at the scene and the other 15-year-old was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
A roadside memorial was set up at the crash site, which is just blocks away from the victim’s high school.
The novice pickup truck driver was arrested at the scene.
He is charged with impaired driving causing death and bodily harm, dangerous driving causing death and bodily harm, novice driver having any alcohol in their system, G1 licence holder driving at an unlawful hour, underage drinking and failing to surrender their driver’s licence.
The accused has been in custody since his arrest and has a bail hearing scheduled for Thursday.
