Tragedy on Highway 97: Life Cut Short in a Heartbeat
The quiet drive home for Meghan DeaBrandt, 35, and her fiancé turned into a nightmare on Monday, July 28th, 2025. Their vehicle, traveling southbound on Highway 97 near the 108 Mile Heritage Site, collided violently with another car between Cariboo Drive and Spring Lake Road. The crash was devastating—Meghan was pronounced dead at the scene, and her fiancé, though rescued from the wreckage, later succumbed to his injuries.
What was meant to be a return trip to the Lower Mainland ended in tragedy, leaving behind a trail of heartbreak, unanswered questions, and a community in mourning.
A Family Shattered and Lives Forever Changed
Before this tragedy, Meghan had just moved from Williams Lake to Mission, B.C., earlier in the summer, bringing along her two children—her 16-year-old son and her 10-year-old daughter—as well as her mother, Ginella DeaBrandt. Meghan was described as a devoted mother, fiercely protective of her loved ones, and the glue that held her family together.
Now, her children are left without their mother, and Ginella, already struggling with health and mobility challenges, faces a future filled with uncertainty. Friends and neighbours have stepped up in incredible ways. Blanche Pilkington, a former neighbour in Williams Lake, has been working tirelessly to support the family, coordinating funeral arrangements and exploring every possible resource to help Ginella relocate to Alberta, where more family support awaits.
A Community’s Heartbreak and a Call for Help
In the wake of this loss, the community has united to honour Meghan’s memory. A GoFundMe campaign launched by Mattea Pilkington, Blanche’s daughter, is helping to cover cremation and funeral expenses while providing urgent financial aid for Ginella. Blanche has vowed to personally deliver Meghan’s ashes and important documents to her mother, offering what little comfort can be found in such dark times.
But the challenges remain daunting—Ginella needs a reliable vehicle to make the move to Alberta, and her ability to live independently has been severely impacted. The call for support extends beyond just finances; it is a plea for compassion, for neighbours to stand together in the face of unimaginable loss.
Meghan’s passing is not just another statistic—it’s the story of a daughter, a mother, and a friend whose life touched many. And now, it is up to the community to help carry her family through the storm she left behind.
