CAMBRIDGE, Ont. — The City of Cambridge is grappling with renewed grief after a second fatal pedestrian incident in less than a month, prompting Mayor Jan Liggett to issue a sombre statement extending condolences to grieving families and the wider community.
The latest tragedy, which involved the death of a small child, follows the loss of a young mother just three weeks earlier. The back-to-back incidents have shaken residents and intensified conversations around community safety, particularly as the city approaches the holiday season.
“Tragedy from pedestrian fatalities has struck our community for the second time in three weeks,” Liggett said in a statement released Thursday. “The pain of families is unfathomable, particularly in a holiday season where family gatherings are a major part of the season, loss of loved ones is even more marked. On behalf of the City, I extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones affected.”
While city officials have not released further details about the circumstances surrounding the most recent incident, Liggett emphasized the emotional toll such events take not only on immediate family members, but also on the broader community.
“Our community is a loving one and grieves today at these needless losses of a small child yesterday and a young mother three weeks ago,” she said. “We additionally think about the first responders, passersby and others witnessing these horrific events, keeping them in our hearts as well.”
The statement underscores a growing sense of collective mourning in Cambridge, a mid-sized city in the Waterloo Region that has seen steady population growth and increased traffic volumes in recent years. As in many urban centres across Canada, pedestrian safety has become a recurring concern for municipal leaders, planners and residents alike.
City officials have not indicated whether the two fatalities are connected by location, timing or roadway conditions. However, the proximity of the incidents has heightened public awareness and prompted renewed calls for vigilance from drivers and pedestrians during the winter months, when shorter daylight hours and changing weather can increase risks on local roads.
Liggett’s message was notable for its focus on empathy rather than policy, reflecting the city’s immediate priority of supporting those affected by the tragedies. By explicitly acknowledging first responders and witnesses, the mayor highlighted the often-overlooked emotional impact such incidents can have beyond the families directly involved.
In communities across Ontario, municipalities have increasingly recognized the mental health strain experienced by emergency personnel and bystanders exposed to traumatic events. While no specific supports were announced in the statement, the mayor’s remarks signal an awareness of the broader ripple effects of fatal incidents.
The timing of the tragedies has added to their emotional weight. With the holiday season underway, many families are preparing for gatherings and celebrations, making sudden losses particularly painful. Liggett referenced this reality directly, noting that “family gatherings are a major part of the season,” and that loss during this period is “even more marked.”
For local businesses and community organizations, the mood of the city can have tangible effects. Holiday events, shopping activity and tourism often depend on a sense of safety and community well-being. While there is no indication that scheduled activities will be altered, the sombre tone of the mayor’s statement reflects a city pausing to acknowledge loss amid what is typically a busy and festive time of year.
As Cambridge residents absorb the news, city leaders are expected to continue monitoring the situation and engaging with community members. Liggett’s statement closed with a message of shared grief and compassion, reinforcing the idea that the city stands together in the face of tragedy.
No further updates were provided Thursday, but the mayor’s remarks serve as an official acknowledgement of the losses and a reminder of the human cost behind traffic statistics. For now, Cambridge mourns, united in sorrow for two lives lost far too soon.
