'Ghost skateboard' honours young Montreal man killed in hit-and-run
A vigil was held this weekend for Jacob Robitaille, a 21-year-old Montreal skateboarder killed in a hit-and-run earlier this year.
On Feb. 26, 2023, Robitaille was fatally struck while riding his skateboard near the corner of De Lorimier Avenue and Saint-Catherine Street. The driver fled the scene before help arrived.
A group of family, friends, and members of the skateboarding and cycling communities gathered at that same spot Saturday to honour Robitaille's memory.
The young man's skateboard, painted white and wrapped in green vines, was fixed to a post near the crash site, in addition to a plaque. Loved ones laid down flowers and touched the board as they passed the roadside memorial.
It's the first time the group Vélo fantôme, which installs "ghost bikes" at the scene of cyclist deaths, has honoured a skateboarder in this way.
"[The skateboard] honours Jacob Robitaille's memory, it acts as a symbol to stimulate a discussion about the dangers of motorized vehicles towards vulnerable users and constitutes a militant act so actions will be undertaken to avoid more deaths," reads a statement from Vélo fantôme spokesperson Séverine Le Page.
A 'ghost skateboard' honouring Jacob Robitaille, a 21-year-old man killed in a hit and run in February, was installed at the site of the Montreal crash on July 29, 2023. (CTV News/Pedro Querido)
The vigil took place on what would have been Robitaille's 22nd birthday.
The investigation into his death is ongoing.
Since 2021, there have been at least four deaths of this nature in the area bordered by streets De Maisonneuve, Sainte-Catherine, De Lorimier and Papineau.
In April 2021, a 26-year-old pedestrian was killed by a dump truck; in May 2022, a 34-year-old pedestrian was killed by a tanker truck; in February 2023, Robitaille was killed; and earlier this month, a 43-year-old cyclist was killed, also by a tanker truck.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
2 died in plane crash near Squamish, B.C., police confirm
Two people died after a plane went down in a remote area near Squamish, B.C. on Friday, authorities have confirmed.
Grayson Murray's parents say the two-time PGA Tour winner died of suicide
Grayson Murray's parents said Sunday their 30-year-old son took his own life, just one day after he withdrew from a PGA Tour event.
At least 15 dead after severe weather carves path of ruin across multiple U.S. states in the South
Powerful storms killed at least 15 people and left a wide trail of destruction Sunday across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.
Blaine Higgs 'furious' over sexual education presentation
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has shared his anger on social media over a presentation in at least four high schools.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
After more than 100 years, Newfoundland's unknown soldier returns home
An unknown Newfoundland soldier, who fought and died on the battlefields in northeastern France during the First World War, is back home this weekend for the first time in more than a hundred years.
Driver, 18, gets $3,000 ticket, 32 demerit points after speeding on Laval boulevard
A young driver received a hefty fine from Laval police after they say he was driving nearly 100 km/h over the posted speed limit.
The dreams of a 60-year-old beauty contestant come to an abrupt end in Argentina
A 60-year-old woman saw her dreams of becoming the oldest Miss Universe contestant in history melt away in a haze of sequins and selfies Saturday at Argentina’s annual beauty pageant.
Indianapolis 500 starts after 4-hour rain delay with Kyle Larson in the field
The Indianapolis 500 started Sunday after a rain delay of four hours with NASCAR star Kyle Larson still at the track and in the race.