A tragic incident has left the community of Altona, Manitoba, grieving the untimely loss of Sara Unger, 35, and her eight-year-old daughter, Alexa Unger. The pair was involved in a devastating collision on Friday evening, November 15, when their SUV was struck by a semi-trailer at the intersection of Provincial Road 201 and Provincial Road 306.
This distressing event unfolded shortly after 7 p.m. as the mother and daughter were returning home from grocery shopping. According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the driver of the semi-trailer, identified as a 25-year-old man from Brampton, Ontario, failed to stop at the intersection where there was a stop sign. The semi, traveling eastbound on PR 201, crashed directly against the southbound SUV driven by Sara.
Sara Unger was pronounced dead at the scene, and Alexa was airlifted to the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, where she later succumbed to her injuries. The RCMP confirmed no charges had been laid at the time, but indicated they were anticipated as investigations continue.
This incident has not only devastated the immediate family but has also cast a somber mood over the community. Sara's husband, Peter Unger, and their ten-year-old son are now facing the unbearable task of moving forward without their beloved wife and mother. Family members have expressed their deep sorrow and have urged the community for prayers during this horrific period.
Tina Unger, Sara's sister-in-law, conveyed the family's plight, stating, "Please pray for Peter and Dominic Unger. They lost their Wife/Mom and Daughter/Sister. Sara and Alexa, you will be missed." This sentiment resonates deeply within the community as they come together to support Peter and the family left behind.
Peter and Sara’s extended family, including Peter's parents who traveled from Ontario to offer support, have been mourning the significant losses. Peter's father, also named Peter, shared, "It's very hard for him... he just totally collapsed yesterday because of this." The grief and shock are palpable, with family members describing the emotional burden of losing someone so precious.
Witness accounts from the scene have been gathered as part of the RCMP's investigation. One witness reported seeing the semi approaching the intersection at high speed, but no definitive answers as to why the driver failed to stop have been revealed so far. Local officials, including the reeve of the rural municipality of Rhineland, have expressed condolences and emphasized the need for discussions about road safety at upcoming council meetings.
Describing the aftermath of the crash, Peter Unger emphasized the importance of finding answers. "It shouldn’t have happened, I don’t know what he was thinking. You can hear the rumble strips leading to the stop sign. Why didn’t he respond to those?" His search for answers is, perhaps, the collective yearning of the community—a desire for accountability and safety improvements to prevent future tragedies.
While no funeral arrangements have been made public yet, the family is reportedly waiting for autopsy results before proceeding. During this time of uncertainty and grief, plans for support have begun taking shape. A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist Peter and their son Dominic, as they navigate life after such devastating losses. Community members have rallied, showing their spirit of solidarity during this challenging time.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced on the road—from the responsibilities of drivers to the fragility of life. The loss of Sara and Alexa Unger has struck a chord within the community, and as the investigations continue, many will be hoping for improvements to make local roads safer and reduce the risk of such occurrences in the future.
The ripple effect of this tragedy will likely echo through the community for years to come, but the strength of family, friends, and neighbors will play a key role as they support the Unger family through this painful chapter.
