An Ontario family is mourning the tragic loss of a father and calling for justice after a fatal head-on crash on August 3 in Whitchurch-Stouffville. Andrew Cristillo, a 42-year-old father of three, was killed in the crash on Highway 48 near Aurora Road, which also left his wife, Christina, and their three daughters injured. The driver responsible for the collision, 18-year-old Jaiwin Victor Kirubananthan, is facing serious criminal charges.
The crash has left the Cristillo family devastated. Andrew, the primary provider for his family, had been supporting Christina, who was undergoing treatment for stage-four breast cancer. Now, his three young daughters, Leah (7), Chloe (6), and Ella (4), are without a father. Andrew’s brother, Jordan Cristillo, described him as a loving father and an incredibly funny man, and he expressed the family’s deep desire for justice in order to prevent further reckless driving incidents from impacting innocent lives.
According to reports, Andrew and his family were returning home from a family gathering when their vehicle was struck head-on by Kirubananthan’s car. Andrew died instantly from the impact, and Christina, despite being injured, managed to rescue their daughters from the wreckage. Jordan recalled that the girls were crying for their father as Christina pulled them from the car, demonstrating incredible strength in a horrific moment.
Kirubananthan fled the scene after the crash, but police later apprehended him. He has been charged with dangerous driving causing death, causing bodily harm to the three girls, making false statements to authorities, and more. This crash isn’t Kirubananthan’s first encounter with serious charges. Earlier this year, he was involved in another crash on Highway 401 that collided with a vehicle carrying Ontario Premier Doug Ford, although no one was injured in that incident. He was charged with dangerous driving in connection to that crash as well.
While the Cristillo family struggles to cope with the loss of their loved one, their focus is now on preparing for Andrew’s funeral, as well as helping Christina through this additional heartbreak. Their daughters are recovering in the hospital, and the heartbreaking reality of Leah’s attempt to save a spot for her dad to sign her cast—only for him not to be there—has deeply affected the family. The family has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for their daughters’ future, and it has already raised nearly $300,000 in support.
As Kirubananthan’s bail hearing was adjourned, the family is left to grieve and seek justice for Andrew, who was taken from them far too soon. The Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.