Cheryl O’Donnell says she wants to get “truth and justice” for her son.
A Go Fund Me crowd-raising account has been set up in an attempt to raise $100,000 to establish a reward for information leading to charges for “those complicity” in Matt O’Donnell’s death.
The 30-year-old Simcoe man was killed in a single-vehicle collision on Charlotteville West Quarter Line during the early hours of Oct. 7, 2017. At the time, police identified Matt as the driver of the vehicle that hit a tree, igniting a fire.
Cheryl O’Donnell said her son was found on the floor in the back of her new pickup truck. She said the family felt right away there were “suspicious circumstances” involved in his death.
“We knew in our hearts he wasn’t driving,” said O’Donnell.
She said further investigation recently determined there wasn’t enough evidence to confirm Matt was the driver.
“To this day, no one has come forward to confirm the identity of those who were with Matt at the crash site at the time of his death,” says the Go Fund Me post at www.gofundme.com/f/dutwuw-justice -for-matt.
Const. Andrew Gamble, media relations officer with the Norfolk OPP, said police remain in contact with the family.
“We acknowledge their ongoing concerns in this matter as we have continued to maintain ongoing dialogue with them,” said Gamble. “It would not be appropriate, though, for the OPP to comment on specifics in order to protect the integrity of any ensuing court and/or complaint-related processes.
“This was a serious and tragic incident. The family has suffered a tremendous loss, and again, we extend to them our most heartfelt condolences.”
Known as “OD” to his peers, Matt O’Donnell was both a trained firefighter and paramedic. He attended Brock University and the Ontario College of Health and Technology and, for a period, worked in fire and rescue services in the western Canadian oil sands.
Matt had returned home to Norfolk and became a volunteer firefighter.
More than 1,500 people turned out for a memorial service at Simcoe Composite School in honor of Matt, well known for his big personality and willingness to help anyone in need. The Matthew O’Donnell Memorial Fund donates money to various causes in Norfolk County.
“His whole life was spent helping people and fundraising,” said Cheryl O’Donnell. “I’m so grateful for how many people loved him. We are so overwhelmed by how many lives he touched and saved.”
O’Donnell said life has been excruciating for her family since Matt’s death.
“Nobody is the same. I wake up every day wondering what happened to Matt. To have the answers will never fill the emptiness of losing him but it would be a huge relief. At least we’d have some sense of peace. But my fear is we’ll never hear the whole truth.”