'Nobody should have to go through that': N.B. family grieving father, daughter killed in crash

It was a holiday full of grief and sorrow for Scott Cormier and his family.

Cormier’s 43-year-old brother Chris was killed in a motor vehicle crash in Moncton on Dec. 15.

Five days later, Chris’s four-year-old daughter Matilda succumbed to the injuries she suffered in the head-on collision and died at the IWK Hospital in Halifax.

“Cold. That’s all it really was,” said Cormier. “We all had the turkeys ready. We all had gifts ready. Not a whole lot of us celebrated Christmas yet. We’ve all promised that we will at one point get together and appreciate the moment. Neither side of the family was very festive.”

Chris and Matilda leave behind their wife and mother Eiryn, and daughter and sister Emilia.

Scott Cormier and several members of his family met Friday morning outside the Cap-Acadie Dental Clinic in Cap-Pelé, the business Chris and Eiryn owned together.

The family of a father and daughter who died in a crash gathered at the Cap-Acadie Dental Clinic on Dec. 27, 2024. (Source: Derek Haggett/CTV News Atlantic)

Cormier said his older brother Chris had a lot of business savvy, had travelled the world, but his family was what was the most important thing to him.

“He was a really good person,” said Cormier. “He was very close to both of his daughters.”

Cormier said Eiryn is doing as well as expected for someone who lost both her husband and first born in the same week.

“It’s hard for me. It’s hard for my parents to deal with their son and granddaughter. The pain that I’ve heard and felt from that grieving mother has shaken my spirit,” said Cormier. “Nobody should have to go through that. Nobody should have to live through that pain. She’s a strong, strong woman.”

Matilda was full of energy and loved to dance for family members when they visited the Cormier home, Scott said.

Eiryn is from Venezuela so Matilda could speak Spanish, French and English.

“She’d mix them up a little bit, obviously at that age, but, boy, was she a bright girl,” said Cormier. “That sort of pure energy, that positiveness that you see in a child is hard to say goodbye to. We all had hopes to see her grow up and see her be the bright lady that she could have been.”

Four-year-old Matilda Cormier died following a crash in New Brunswick on Dec. 15, 2024. (Submitted)

The family did throw a scaled-down Christmas for Matilda’s sister Emilia to try to make things a bit easier for her.

“She’s obviously wondering where her older sister is. So she had a kind of Christmas where we all put on our fake smiles and made it as festive as possible, but for us, maybe in a month. Not sure,” said Cormier.

Matilda’s step grandmother Heather Parsons said Matilda loved to dress up as a Disney princess and sing and dance for her grandparents.

“She was the joy of our lives. She was funny and she was a dancer and loved gymnastics and loved the outdoors and loved the beach and loved her little sister. Those two were inseparable,” said Parsons.

Parsons said Matilda would have been five in March.

“It’s been hell on Earth, actually. It’s like you’re living a terrible nightmare every day. Especially when you look around and everything reminds you of them,” said Parsons. “She’s going to be missed for ever and ever, although I truly believe that she’s never going to leave us nor is Chris. We’re just going to love them forever.”

Chris and Eiryn opened the dental clinic in their hometown in June.

Chris’ cousin Amy Smith said the couple were great business partners who really complemented each other.

“It was nice to see everything kind of falling into place for them. Chris was just an all-in kind of person. Very kind, soft-hearted, determined person,” said Smith. “He was just an easy-going, quiet guy, but always showed up for family. Very loyal.”

The crash that claimed their lives and the life of a 32-year-old woman from Moncton happened around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15.

Two vehicles collided head on near an overpass on Highway 15 not far from the airport.

Chris Cormier was sent to Moncton Hospital where he later died.

Matlida Cormier was transported to the IWK Hospital in Halifax and died five days later.

In a news release sent on Dec. 21, the RCMP said the investigation is ongoing.

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up by one of Eiryn’s friends to help her out financially during this incredibly difficult time.

As of Friday afternoon, close to $50,000 dollars had been raised.

The family will receive condolences for Matilda and Chris on Sunday and in memory of them both, a contribution to the IWK Hospital in Halifax would be appreciated.

Scott Cormier said a massive tragedy like this magnifies the importance of connecting and spending time with family.

“You always think there’s another week and you always think plans can get postponed and they’ll all work out next time. Don’t. Call now. Doesn’t matter what the reason is why you’re not talking. Fix it, appreciate the family you have,” said Cormier. “And most importantly, be extra careful on the roads.”

For more New Brunswick news visit our dedicated provincial page.