Alexis Wiltse's family, L-R Luciano Carnovale, Jamie Wiltse, Mark Torjusson, Erin Wiltse, Steve Carnovale (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

REMEMBERING ALEXIS WILTSE

‘Here is our disaster’: Family of Alexis Wiltse says her death was senseless and avoidable

May 11, 2023 | 4:27 PM

KAMLOOPS — Members of Alexis Wiltse’s loving family managed to fight back the tears Thursday afternoon (May 11) as they gathered at the site of her tragic motorcycle accident. As they spoke to the accident, the word that came up repeatedly was ‘senseless.’

“It took the life of my daughter, and it’s that saying, ‘Too little, too late.’ I feel also for the community having to drive this road. It’s been two years in the making. My understanding is that it’s to be refurbished this summer,” said Alexis’ Father Steve Carnovale of the road conditions along Shuswap Road in Kamloops.

Alexis’ sister Jamie was disheartened to learn that the poor road conditions were known to both officials and those who travel Shuswap Road regularly.

“The minister of transportation has been aware of this problem for years and there was a meeting last year between Tk’emlups chief and council, in combination with the city, MLAs, the TNRD and everybody making a plea — members of the community just begging for this to be repaired. There was a statement from our mayor at that time saying this is a disaster waiting to happen, and here is our disaster,” said Jamie Wiltse.

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Since the accident, crews have patched the massive pothole in the middle of the road. But just a few hundred meters in either direction of the accident site, the road remains in terrible shape.

“I appreciate the efforts to repair what took our sister’s life, but just down the road is another accident waiting to happen — and that makes me sick. I don’t want to see anybody else lose their family member, their sister, their daughter, their beloved co-worker, community member — anything like that. It just feels like it was totally unnecessary,” said Jamie.

The entire family knows only how to give back, filled with nurses and RCMP members. Alexis carried that trait as well, working as a social worker with Secwepemc Child and Family Services, supporting Indigenous families throughout the region.

“The thing I love the most about my sister is she is real. She would care, she would want your opinion, she would ask and, at the end of the day, she would walk away and do exactly what she wanted anyways,” Jamie said with a smile. “That is something I loved about her very much.”

“Tenacious,” added Alexis’ sister Erin.

“Lots of love, unique, one of a kind,” added brother Luciano.

“She was vibrant. Always smiley, happy, bubbly, a very good friend to all of us. A good listener. I miss her every day now,” said Steve.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure provided a brief statement to CFJC Today confirming that it is investigating the accident and that paving work is scheduled for the road later this year.