CARSTAR Goderich gifts vehicle to hard-working, young teen who loses car to flames

The owners and staff of CARSTAR Goderich gifted a new vehicle to Destiny Topor who had tragically lost her first vehicle in a fire. Destiny was going to use her first vehicle to get up to Sudbury for college, and this gift of a new vehicle has helped her along her journey in post-secondary education. (L-R): Caeleb, Dave, Chantell, Tim, Shawn, Destiny, Mandy, Scott, Matthew, Chad, Jeff and Jordan.

Known lovingly as Des to those around her, Destiny Topor recently graduated from St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary in Clinton.

Set to attend Cambrian College in Sudbury to begin her first year of post-secondary studies in Dental Hygiene, shortly after graduation, Des set out to purchase her first vehicle.

After working incredibly hard over the past few years at Little Caesars in Goderich, Des saved every dollar she could to purchase her first vehicle, a goal she proudly achieved this past summer.

Sadly, Des didn’t have the car for very long before tragedy struck.

In late August, Des and her friend Lilly picked up their friend Brook in Des’ new car, a vehicle she had only owned for just over a month at the time.

Des’ car had passed a safety inspection, and as far as she knew, it was in good working condition.

In a scary turn of events during their drive, the car began leaking fluid and moments later started smoking and eventually burst into flames.

All three girls were able to jump out quickly and safely before the car was fully engulfed in flames.

The North Huron Fire Department arrived quickly and acted fast, but the damage was already done; Des’ new car was destroyed.

According to a friend’s mother, Stephanie Andrews, Des only had liability insurance, something many young drivers opt for to save on costs. There was no coverage for this kind of loss.

To help Des financially, or to perhaps look at another vehicle so she could have the independence to drive up to school on her own, a fundraiser was held in August.

“While we are endlessly grateful the girls are safe and unharmed, but Des was heartbroken,” said Stephanie Andrews, mother of Des’ friend Brook, and organizer of the fundraiser.

“As the fire raged, her only thoughts were about her schoolwork left inside the car and her grandmother, who had helped her with the final bit of money to make her dreams of owning a car a reality. This loss has been devastating, not just financially, but emotionally.”

To help recover even a small part of what Des has lost, community members were asked to come together at a fundraiser and help this hardworking, kind-hearted young woman.

The fundraiser was held locally to support Des, as the community, friends and family members attempted to raise enough money to help her so she could leave for school in Sudbury.

When Shawn Leslie, owner of CARSTAR in Goderich, and his wife Alli heard about this story, they immediately wanted to help.

“My husband was able to get his hands on a used Chevy Cruz, which he and the staff at CARSTAR Goderich put work into getting it safety verified and back on the road,” Alli explained.

“We gifted this car to Des so that she can head off to school on the right foot.”

Des received the new vehicle from Alli and Shawn Leslie on August 26 to give Des an opportunity to head off to school on the right foot.

Des and her mother were contacted by staff for comment but did not respond in time for our deadline.