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Fatal store-crash survivor vows to 'face my fears,' visit site

By: Gabrielle Giroday

Posted: 05/5/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Facebook photo Kendall Wiebe (left), Lyndsey Johnston

SHE survived a freak vehicle crash that killed her dear friend at the Westwood hair salon where they both worked.

Lyndsey Johnston, 25, is managing the physical injuries from the day a Jeep Liberty plowed into the Ultracuts in a mall at 3393 Portage Ave., killing 27-year-old Kendall Wiebe.

But Johnston still hasn't returned to the site of the crash that has left her a wreck.

"I haven't really made it in the parking lot yet, and I haven't seen the shop and I don't know when I will be able to (set) foot in there," said Johnston, who lives near where the crash occurred.

"But I kind of have to face my fears and go back."

Monday will be exactly one month since the crash, and police haven't laid any charges against the Liberty's 32-year-old driver.

Police said the crash happened after the man driving the SUV northbound near Rouge Road and Allard Avenue lost control of the vehicle, then crossed over Portage Avenue and through the mall's parking lot, before smashing into the front of the hair salon. The crash sent both Johnston and Wiebe to hospital, where Wiebe died after she was removed from life-support.

Memories of the crash remain for Johnston, who was also run over and hurt in the havoc.

"Honestly, what woke me up was hearing Kendall scream, 'Lyndsey, where are you?' And then it was dead silent after that," she said. "And then that's (when) basically I woke up and I said, 'I have to get out of here because I have to save her,' but it was too late."

Wiebe's death touched many, and hundreds attended her funeral.

After the crash, strangers taped up flowers outside the hair salon.

Wiebe was the mother of a four-year-old girl, Brynn, and helped raise a nine-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl with her partner, Steve Cancilla.

A trust fund was set up to help her family, and there will be a fundraising social May 12 at the Kirkfield Westwood Community Centre. Johnston was able to attend Wiebe's funeral and was released from hospital to stay with family, who have helped her with her recovery.

Johnston said she suffered broken ribs and has "stitches everywhere."

"I take it day by day right now," she said. "I'm just in a lot of pain physically and mentally, but I'll get through it."

Her leg was also severely damaged in the crash, and there's a large scar that was left behind.

Staff Sgt. Rob Riffel of the Winnipeg Police Service central traffic unit said police are waiting for information from the vehicle's manufacturer, and the matter is still under investigation. Police have said drugs and alcohol were not a factor.

gabrielle.giroday@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 5, 2012 B1

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