A candlelight vigil will take place in Maple Ridge tonight at 5:30 p.m., at the corner of Dewdney Trunk Road and Dunbar Street – the site where two young people lost their lives in a horrific crash four days ago.

The day also marks what would have been Crystal Weaver’s 19th birthday.

Crystal and Dawson Spencer, 17, both died early Sunday morning when the Dodge van Dawson was driving collided with a Honda Civic, in which Crystal was a passenger.

Four other teenagers were also injured in Sunday’s crash.

In the Honda with Crystal were her two friends Andrea Sitter and Jessica Small. All three girls graduated from Garibaldi Secondary in 2011.

According to police, Andrea is the only surviving teen who has been released from the hospital, so far. Jessica, who was driving the Honda, is the most severely injured, according to police.

The two boys in the van with Dawson, Ben Buttignol and James Churton, are also still in hospital.

“One is suffering from a punctured diaphragm, but from what we have been told, it appears that their injuries are survivable,” said Ridge Meadows RCMP Sgt. Dale Somerville.

At the growing roadside memorial, friends have been gathering to reflect, mourn, and share stories with one another.

“He was a bright kid, always smiling. He was our little troublemaker, our little handyman, he knew how to fix anything,” said Grade 11 Westview Secondary student Katey Sarkozi, of her friend Dawson.

“He made us a sign for Bean’s room that said ‘The Cave.’ Bean is Hilary McCarten. He carved it in carpentry. He was our only guy friend who we could go to for anything,” Katey added.

Ironically, Dawson would call the girls every weekend to make sure they were safe, or had a safe ride home, according to Taryn Smith, another Grade 11 student at Westview.

Taryn said she had just returned from the Spencer home, where she took flowers to Dawson’s grieving mom.

“She was happy to see us and was asking about how everyone else is doing,” explained Taryn.

Westview student Alex Redmond said through tears that he was the group’s “big little brother.”

“He had a big heart for everyone,” she said.

Julia Solar agreed with Alex.

“It’s really hard to imagine he’s not coming home,” she said.

On Monday at lunch time, Westview Secondary’s cafeteria was silent.

“You could hear a pin drop in there, everyone is still in shock,” said Taryn.

Over at Garibaldi Secondary, where Crystal, Jessica, and Andrea graduated last summer, drama teacher Cyndy Lacroix is feeling the huge gap left by the accident.

“Crystal was an angel. She brought light and smiles and kindness every single place she went,” Lacroix said.

“She was studying to get into medicine and her goal was to help not just here, but in poverty-stricken countries. I know it sounds cliche, but it is true,” elaborated Lacroix.

“She performed in all our talent nights and took small roles in shows that kept her involved, but enabled her to get the marks she needed for university,” she added.

Lacroix went on to explain that Andrea and Jessica were involved with the theatre too.“Andrea is the set decoration designer and has been using this show to prepare her portfolio for university this fall and Jessica has both assisted Andrea in set decoration and has been working with her mom, Jillian Small, who has taken over boys costumes for me for the past few productions,” said Lacroix.

“As for Dawson, he was one of my son’s best friends and spent several of his elementary years at our house and with our family on summer vacations,” she said.

“Many of my students knew both of the students who passed. [Monday] was a horrible, horrible day I never want to experience again,” she said.

Irena Pochop, spokesperson for the school district said grief couselling will be provided for as long as it is needed.

“We are checking in daily with the schools that have been affected to determine if they need additional support,” said Popchop, noting that Garibaldi, Samuel Robertson Technical, SRT2, Westview secondaries, and one elementary school have been especially impacted by the crash.

“We are working closely with community partners, including child and youth mental health, and offering support to teachers and staff as well,” said Pochop.

According to Somerville, police are preparing for a large crowd tonight at the candlelight vigil and intend to close down one west-bound lane to traffic.

“RCMP traffic services and auxiliary constables will be present to ensure the publics safety,” he said.