When Jordan Cristillo remembers his brother Andrew, who died tragically in a car crash near Whitchurch-Stouffville earlier this month, he thinks of him as “a gift” — a loving father and a great friend.
In the wake of his death, the Cristillo family is picking up the pieces and trying to ensure other families don’t have to endure the pain they’re feeling.
“It’s a tragedy that he’s no longer with us,” Cristillo said Friday outside a court hearing for Jaiwin Victor Kirubananthan, 18, of Oshawa, who has been changed with multiple offences, including dangerous driving causing death and bodily harm.
“A huge community has a hole in it,” Cristillo said.
Andrew leaves behind three young daughters and his wife, Christina, Cristillo said. “Christina … now has to battle cancer without her best friend by her side.”
A GoFundMe campaign started by the family has amassed over $450,000 in contributions as of Friday afternoon.
According to police, the crash occurred on Highway 48 outside of Whitchurch-Stouffville, when the car Kirubananthan was driving collided with the Cristillos’ family car.
Andrew was pronounced dead at the scene, while police say Christina and their three daughters were transported to the hospital with injuries.
The three children are currently undergoing treatment for “life altering injuries” at SickKids, according to the GoFundMe.
According to police, Kirubananthan was also charged in January 2025 in connection with a crash involving Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
“It’s heart-wrenching when you talk to the family … Everyone has to pitch in and help this family. It’s terrible,” said Ford, when asked about the Cristillos’ crash at an unrelated news conference on Friday.
“And this person being able to get out there and drive, you know … I wish I could say what’s on my mind right now, but I think people know how I feel and everyone else in Ontario feels about this person … just reckless, careless.”
Cristillo says he intends to petition for a new law to be put into place that would see more restrictions and tougher sentencing for those charged with dangerous driving.
A bail hearing was set for Friday but has been pushed back until Aug. 25, as the Justice of the Peace said more deliberation time was needed.
