When Jasmine Beausoleil boarded a plane in Quebec and headed for Castlegar in the spring of 2022, she was a curious and travel-loving 19-year-old, ready to shake off the limitations of a pandemic and embrace a new adventure.
She had no way of knowing that her life would be tragically cut short during trip.
On June 20, 2022, a Purolator van struck a transit bus on the highway between Castlegar and Nelson. The bus was carrying 18 passengers including Beausoleil and 15 other English-immersion students attending a short-term program at Selkirk College.
Beausoleil was sitting next to the window where the van hit the bus. She was taken to TrailB次元官网网址檚 Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital, then to Kelowna General Hospital, but succumbed to her injuries.
BeausoleilB次元官网网址檚 mother Chantal B茅dard says the young woman was always dreaming about her next trip.
B次元官网网址淪he wanted to see the world, she loved to travel,B次元官网网址� B茅dard told Castlegar B次元官网网址.
Beausoleil had been anticipating the Castlegar trip for two years after the pandemic delayed its original departure.
However, B茅dard says she had concerns.
B次元官网网址淚 was very worried about letting her go on this trip. She was going away for several weeks and it was the first time she had been away for so long.
B次元官网网址淪he had decided to go and improve her English, even though she was perfectly bilingual. It was mainly because of the travel experience and to explore an English-immersion program.B次元官网网址�
Beausoleil was B茅dardB次元官网网址檚 only daughter and the two were very close.
B次元官网网址淪he was not only my daughter, she was my friend,B次元官网网址� said B茅dard. B次元官网网址淲e were always together B次元官网网址� when she wasnB次元官网网址檛 with me we wrote several texts several times a day.B次元官网网址�
B茅dard says her daughter was smart and curious, and was studying at Coll猫ge dB次元官网网址檈nseignement g茅n茅ral et professionnel in Quebec City, preparing for university.
B次元官网网址淪he had strong opinions on many subjects, she was very human and open to world,B次元官网网址� adds B茅dard. B次元官网网址淪he had a lot of character.B次元官网网址�
She was also athletic, participating in competitive gymnastics for 11 years and provincial cheerleading for one year before the pandemic cancelled competitions.
In July, one year after the fatal collision, the man who was driving the Purolator van was charged with driving without due care and attention. Police have not released his name.
The charges brought the accident back into the spotlight and prompted B茅dard to come forward with her daughterB次元官网网址檚 story. She wants to put a name and a face to the tragedy.
B次元官网网址淭he newspapers said she was a young student or a young woman from Quebec City B次元官网网址� she was so much more than that,B次元官网网址� says B茅dard.
B次元官网网址淪he was our whole life, my beloved daughter. It is hard for me to imagine my life without her.B次元官网网址�
B茅dard is also hoping to connect with the people who received BeausoleilB次元官网网址檚 organs.
B次元官网网址淪ome time before she left, we had discussed organ donation,B次元官网网址� said B茅dard.
B次元官网网址淪he felt that organ donation should be mandatory for everyone and that we should have to sign a card if we donB次元官网网址檛 want to donate organs.
B次元官网网址淪he had mentioned to us that she would like to donate all her organs if she died.B次元官网网址�
BeausoleilB次元官网网址檚 desires were granted and her lungs and eyes were given to new people on July 4, 2022.
B茅dard says she does not want to interfere in the lives of the recipients, but would love to know B次元官网网址渁 little about their history, to know if they are a dad or a mom, student, grandparents even, how old they are.B次元官网网址�
She thinks connecting with the recipients would help as she continues to grieve the tragic loss of her daughter.
B次元官网网址淛ust being able to know what they are going through, what the gift has changed in their lives, would help me to give meaning to this immense loss,B次元官网网址� says B茅dard.
If you think you may be the person who received BeausoleilB次元官网网址檚 organs, email B茅dard at Jasminesorgansearch@gmail.com.
BC Transplant also provides a service to connect willing donors and recipients. More information can be found at transplant.bc.ca/donor-families.
betsy.kline@castlegarnews.com
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