A mother whose son died in an ATV crash in Lanigan says underage drinking is a problem in the central Saskatchewan community that needs to be addressed.
Susanna Rossen told CTV News alcohol was a factor in the Saturday night crash that left her 19-year-old son, Drew Rossen, dead. She’s devastated by the loss, but said she now feels compelled to speak up about underage drinking in the community.
“Something needs to be done about this. I could tell you stories — and I won't — that are so crazy that you will wonder, ‘What on earth is going on? Why is there nobody stopping this?’” Susanna said.
Drew died in a field behind the Lanigan high school. He was riding an ATV when it crashed. An 18-year-old man was driving.
Susanna said the teens were partying and drinking.
“Now my son has died and I want him to have the honour to have changed something,” Susanna said. “If it takes me to change this and stick my neck out and say this is how I feel, then this is what I have to do. I'm doing this for Drew, who did not deserve to die so young.”
Drew was a sweet boy who wanted to fit in with his peers, his mother said. She doesn’t want to see Lanigan, which she describes as a wonderful community, marked by more tragedy.
“Don't fool around with your life. Don't drink and drive. Because what happened to Drew could happen to each one of you,” she said.
She hopes, by speaking up, others in the community will take a closer look at their tolerance for underage drinking.
The 18-year-old driving the ATV was not seriously hurt. RCMP have not laid any charges but say the investigation is still ongoing.
