Online fundraiser set up to help family of bus driver severely injured in Hwy. 69 crash

There were several people hurt – including one life-threatening injury – when a school bus and a CMV collided Monday in Sudbury.

A fundraiser has been set up to financially help the family of a school bus driver who was severely injured on Jan. 20 in a collision with a commercial motor vehicle on Highway 69.

The driver, Jamie Lajeunesse, was left with severe diffuse axonal injury – a traumatic brain injury – with “life-altering consequences,” said the GoFundMe page, which had raised more than $17,500 as of Sunday morning.

The site states it is raising funds to help cover medical expenses, rehabilitation and daily living expenses for his family.

“While we remain hopeful, his recovery is uncertain and will require an extensive journey filled with challenges – physically, emotionally, and financially,” said the GoFundMe page.

“Jamie is only 50 years old, with so much more living to do. He is the proud father of three amazing children – Brandon, Tiarra, and Madison – and a devoted grandfather to a beautiful new baby grandson. Jamie has an amazing very close family and a village of people surrounding him."

The fundraiser’s organizers described Jamie as a big teddy bear, with his kindness and generosity shining through to everyone he met.

“He’s the type of person who would give you the shirt off his back, even during his own struggles,” said organizers.

“His heart is as big as his hugs and his selflessness has touched countless lives.”

Carrie Lajeunesse, Jamie’s older sister, will be responsible for managing the donations and ensuring they are used to support his medical and financial needs, according to the fundraising page.

“Now, Jamie needs our help. In addition to the growing medical costs that are to come and the need for specialized rehabilitation, Jamie’s accident has left his family with the heavy burden of everyday expenses,” reads the GoFundMe page.

The family declined CTV News' requests for an interview.

The collision occurred shortly before 8:30 a.m. Jan. 20 in the northbound lane on the Richard Lake hill, south of Greater Sudbury.

The driver and 12 students from Rainbow District School Board and Conseil scolaire du Grand Nord were on the bus at the time of the collision.

Eight people were transported to the local hospital by EMS – five students as a precaution, two students received serious but non-life-threatening injuries, while the bus driver received serious, life-threatening injuries, police said at the time.

There were no reported injuries to the other students or the driver of the commercial motor vehicle.

The collision’s cause remains under investigation, and no charges have been laid at this time, said the OPP, adding take up to four to five months for charges to be laid.