A collision involving first-year Queen’s students claimed the life of a Kingston motorcyclist.
On Sept. 9, a bus transporting commerce students from an orientation week event collided with a motorcyclist on Bath Rd. at 9:45 p.m. The motorcyclist died, while no passengers on the bus were injured. The bus was returning students to campus after the Red Carpet and Godfather Galahosted at Zorbas event venue.
Approximately 50 students and three Queen’s StuCons were on board the bus at the time of the collision, according to a source. Traffic Safety Unit Collision Reconstructionists were called to clear the scene at 5:00 a.m. on Sept. 10.
The collision remains under investigation by Kingston Police.
“Due to the severity of the collision, Traffic Safety Unit Collision Reconstructionists were requested to investigate. Although this is an active and ongoing investigation, I can confirm that a motorcycle, which had been travelling westbound on Bath Rd., struck the rear driver’s side of a coach bus, which had been turning eastbound onto Bath Road,” Kingston Police’s Media Relations Officer Constable Ashley Gutheinz said in statement to The Journal.
The bus remained at the scene for two hours after the collision, as reported by The Kingstonist. Friends and family identified the deceased as 54-year-old Kingston resident Joseph Lima.
In a statement to The Journal, a representative for Smith School of Business expressed their condolences to the family and explained the school is offering support for affected students.
“Following the incident, the staff and faculty were alerted to ensure any impacted students were contacted and offered immediate and ongoing supports, including counselling options and crisis support.,” said Arcan Nalça, associate dean undergraduate at Smith School of Business in a statement to The Journal.
The Commerce Society President Mahir Hamid (ComSoc) declined The Journal’s request for comment on the incident. Smith Orientation, and the Commerce Executive Orientation (CEO) Chair Sagaana Sivathason, didn’t respond to The Journal’s request for comment.
Queen’s undergraduate student government the Alma Mater Society (AMS) declined to comment on the collision or provide information on the support being provided for students and AMS employees—Queen’s StuCons—affected by the incident.
AMS Communications Director Mikayla Crawford redirected The Journal’s request for comment to Kingston Police and Queen’s University’s Central Communications office.
According to a source, Queen’s is providing mental health resources facilitated by residence life coordinators, full-time staff responsible for supporting students living in Queen’s residence buildings. The source said Smith School of Business held a support group for passengers on Sept. 14.
Tags
Commerce, fatality, orientation, Smith, vehicle collision
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Truth Beyond the sensational
Your article is misleading… motorcycle collided with back of bus… students not involved but we’re witness and it was an ugly, horrific scene. This writer lacked sensitivity to the students who witnessed and had to deal with aftermath. Poor journalism and sensationalism affecting an already very sensitive situation. Do Better
Tired of QJ
Unsurprising. The queen’s journal consistently exemplifies a penchant for pursuing readership at the expense of the consequences arising from their incomplete portrayal of events.
critically think
This is not even sensationalist, if you read the article there is a quote from the police department detailing how the collision took place. You clearly did not read past the first line….also it can not be a complete portrayal if everyone involved refuses to comment….start thinking critically.