Edward Lake lost his three young children and father-in-law in a September 2015 driving crash in Ontario.
Trigger Warning: This article contains details of suicide that may be distressing to readers
An Ontario father, whose three children were killed by a drunk driver in 2015, has killed himself. York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween confirmed the news of Edward Lake's death in a message posted to social media Monday night. “This evening I was very saddened to learn of the tragic death of Ed Lake. The losses to the Neville-Lake family are heart wrenching,” MacSween wrote. “YRP stands with our friend Jennifer and members of both families. May you find strength in the support of your community.” Edward’s wife Jennifer Neville-Lake shared a photo on social media showing their children’s grave along with the tweet, “Father’s Day 2022. This shouldn’t be real. It can’t be."
The crash took place on Sept. 27, 2015, and killed three young Neville-Lake children—Daniel, 9, Harrison, 5, Milly, 2, and their grandfather, Gary Neville, 65. The collision also resulted in serious injuries sustained by Jennifer’s mother and grandmother. According to CBC, a judge convicted the drunk driver behind the wheel, Marco Muzzo, who was 29 years old at the time, to 10 years in prison. "The sentence is 10 years and none of my children saw 10 years," Jennifer Neville-Lake said outside the courthouse. "When you choose to drink and drive you're hurting other families. You're killing someone else's babies—like all of mine were killed," she said at the time.
Muzzo pleaded guilty to four counts of impaired driving causing death and two counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm. Later, he expressed remorse for his actions. “I’d like to start off always thoughts and prayers always with the Neville-Lake family, Neville family and Frais family,” Muzzo said during a virtual hearing in 2021, per CP 24. “My heart bleeds every day, me knowing my actions killed their three beautiful children Daniel, Harry and Milly and a loving and probably awesome grandfather Gary.” The children’s mother Jennifer Neville-Lake said that the drunk driver still does not take full responsibility for his “disgusting actions.” In her victim impact statement, she explained, “The killer of my family has forced me to endure so much death, so much pain in all areas of my life because of his reckless decision and actions,” she said. “He scares me.” According to Global News, Muzzo was granted full parole in February 2021. As for Edward Lake, the father of the three children, he said in a statement at Muzzo’s sentencing that he had suffered from suicidal thoughts and anxiety since the crash. The outlet mentioned that Edward Lake was found deceased on Monday, the day after Father’s Day.
If you are having thoughts about taking your own life, or know of anyone who is, please contact The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
References:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/marco-muzzo-sentencing-1.3509524
https://www.cp24.com/news/convicted-drunk-driver-marco-muzzo-granted-full-parole-1.5301253
https://globalnews.ca/news/8934254/edward-lake-dies-by-suicide/
Cover Image Source: YouTube | Global News
