Crash kills expectant Burlington, Ontario mom on way home from Disney World

An expectant mom from Burlington has died following a head-on crash along a stretch of highway in the U.S.

According to police records, Jessica Dawson, 33, died as a result of injuries suffered in a collision on Interstate 77, just north of the South Carolina capital of Columbia.

South Carolina Highway Patrol says Dawson and members of her family were travelling in the northbound lane of the highway when they were struck head-on by another vehicle going in the wrong direction. The driver of that vehicle was also killed.

Dawson was taken to a nearby hospital where she died on Jan. 11. She was three months pregnant.

Dawson’s mother, Wendy Lehman, 68, also of Burlington received extensive injuries but has since been released from hospital and is recuperating in South Carolina until she is fit enough to return home.

The family was on its way home from a Christmas trip to Disney World in Florida.

A GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist the family with medical expenses incurred in the U.S.

Michael Dawson, Jessica’s brother, said seven family members were travelling in separate vehicles when the incident occurred.

He said his wife was driving one of the vehicles but managed to swerve out of the way of the oncoming car.

“Looking in our review mirror, (we could see that) the driver hit my mom and baby sister head-on at approximately 120km/h,” he said on the GoFundMe site. “It was/is an absolute nightmare and something you never think can happen.”

He said Jessica’s fiance is distraught and trying to cope with the tragedy.

The GoFundMe campaign has reached just over half of the $50,000 goal.

The Burlington Dads Facebook group has also assisted with a fundraiser recently held at Joe Dogs restaurant.