Kindness, generosity, and an unwavering spirit are what Colleen Slota is being remembered for.
The 62-year-old St. Thomas woman was killed last Wednesday when a stolen pickup truck trying to get away from London police crashed into her vehicle at the intersection of Adelaide Street North and Thompson Road. Slota, the only female truck driver at London Hospital Linen Service, a non-profit providing laundry service to area hospitals, was on her way home from work when the collision happened around 2:30 a.m.
“Colleen was a dedicated and beloved member of our union, and her loss has left an indelible mark on our hearts,” Fernanda Santos, president of Teamsters Local Union 847, wrote to union members over the weekend. “Her commitment to her work was exemplary, and she embodied the true spirit of workplace solidarity that binds our union together.”
Slota had worked for the linen service for ten years and was a “proud and confident female trucker who was unafraid to stand up for herself and her beliefs.” She would often leave “heartwarming messages and small treats” for her colleagues on the docks, Santos added.
“Slota was known for her kindness, generosity, and unwavering spirit. She treated everyone, from customers to colleagues, with the utmost respect and care. Her friendly demeanour and ability to connect with other workers made her an amazing person to be around,” Santos wrote.
Outside of work, Slota was remembered for her landscaping and gardening abilities and love of entertaining family and friends poolside. She was also a devout member of Holy Angels’ Church and leaves behind a sister and a number of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, according to her obituary. Cremation has already taken place and a funeral mass is being planned for 10 a.m. on June 10 at Holy Angels’ Church, St. Thomas.
Three people have been charged in connection with the crash that claimed Slota’s life.
Shawn Tinning, 38, of London has been charged with causing death by criminal negligence, failure to stop at the scene of a crash causing death, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
A 49-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman, have also been charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is probing the incident due to the police involvement in the lead up to the crash. A preliminary investigation found, the stolen truck took off at a “high rate of speed” after police began tailing it in the area of King Edward and Russell avenues. It collided with Slota’s Ford F-150 pickup truck shortly after.
