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Family killed in Hwy. 407 crash would 'do anything for you'

OPP identify 3 killed in Hwy. 407 crash in Brampton

Friends of a "loving family" that died in a fiery crash on Highway 407 over the weekend are remembering a close-knit group that would "do anything for you."

Friends confirmed that Dave and Karen Harpley, along with their son Chad, died Sunday as they drove home from a vintage car show in Trenton, Ont.

Ontario Provincial Police said the family was travelling westbound in the far-right lane of the 407 in a 1948 Chevrolet when something happened to the right rear tire that caused the driver to lose control. The car swerved into the inner left lane, where it was t-boned by a coach bus. The Chevrolet veered into a ditch and, not long after, burst into flames.

While police have not released the victims' identities, friends in the classic car community confirmed that it was the Harpleys.

"None of us are ready for that," Christine Sargeson, a friend of the Harpleys for 30 years, told CBC News.

"I know they're a very loving family, and they'd do anything for you."

She noted that Chad Harpley had celebrated a birthday over the weekend, and had turned 43.

"It's just been so devastating for everyone in the club," she said. "It's just been awful."

According to Sargeson, the Harpleys moved from Mississauga to Freelton, Ont., near Highway 6 and the 401, three years ago.

'It's just so unbelievable'

Sargeson and her husband, Brian, were members of the same car club and spent a lot of time with the Harpleys. They had all spent the weekend together at a car show in Trenton, and enjoyed lunch together on Friday, dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday before they all began the ride home.

"It's just so unbelievable because we all came home from having a great time in Trenton and then a disaster happens. It's just unbelievable," she said. "I still can't believe that Karen is gone because we spent the whole time there in Trenton together."

An emotional Brian Sargeson echoed his wife's words, noting that Chad and Dave "were the best of friends. They went everywhere together."

He added that they would do anything for friends, including help out with a tow when someone's car broke down.

"He was a family person," Brian said of Dave. "His grandkids came first."

In addition to Chad — the Harpley's middle child — the couple had an older son, Todd, who has three children, and a younger daughter, Tina, who has a young daughter.

'Nobody speeds'

Sargeson said he and a few friends from the car club have spoken to mechanics about what might have gone wrong with the Harpley's car.

According to Sargeson, none of the seven cars that their group brought to the car show had any problems. And they all drove safely.

"We all took the 407," he said. "We all drive 105 [kilometres an hour] on the highway. Nobody speeds, we all stay in the right-hand lane, and it's safer on the 407 than most places. Not a lot of traffic."

The club, which had about a dozen members, turned its regular Tuesday cruise night into a fundraiser for the family. They had more than 150 cars in attendance, and friends and co-workers of Chad Harpley's from the City of Brampton's Parks and Recreation Department joined in, Sargeson said.

They raised $1,900.

On Wednesday night, the Woodbridge Cruisers Hwy 27 will pay tribute to the Harpleys and plan to donate part of the proceeds from their 50/50 draw to the family, according to Sargeson.

"We're going to help them out any way we can."