Family reels as 16-year-old victim of alleged sword-and-SUV attack remains hospitalized

The family of a 16-year-old from a small community in northern Ontario, who was seriously injured when her ex-boyfriend allegedly hit her with his car and then attacked her with a sword, says the past week has been a “ big blur”. “

Kaylie Smith remains in hospital in Ottawa with serious injuries, but is in stable condition.

“It’s like a big blur. It doesn’t seem real,” said Cindy Smith, Kaylie’s mother.

Officers responded to a collision involving a motor vehicle and a pedestrian in Cobalt, Ont. – about 500 kilometers northwest of Ottawa – on Nov. 3, according to Const. Martin Thibault of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

When they arrived, Thibault says they discovered that an 18-year-old had driven an SUV into Smith, who had just gotten off the bus, and then attacked her with a sword.

Thibault added that witnesses helped Smith until emergency services arrived.

Smith’s ex-boyfriend, Phillipe Gagnon, was arrested within an hour of the attack and remains in custody. He faces several charges, including attempted murder and aggravated assault.

OPP are treating the incident as intimate partner violence.

‘Doesn’t seem real’ to Mom

Smith’s family has been by her side in hospital in Ottawa since she was flown into the city.

“One minute we’re alive and the next minute we’re here in the hospital fighting for her life. I just don’t understand it,” Cindy said.

She described her daughter as a “beautiful, wonderful girl” who loves animals and drawing.

“I thank God she is alive, and I hope there is justice for her,” she said. “Nobody deserves to go through this.”

Family members describe Smith as gentle, sweet and helpful to others. (Submitted by Paige Smith)

A handful of family members have been in town to support Kaylie, including her cousin Paige Smith.

Paige bounced between two hotels before securing a place to stay for the “foreseeable future” with help from the community.

“It was just a blur,” Paige said. “When everything happened, we dropped everything and went downstairs, worried about the consequences afterwards. You don’t really think about yourself in these moments. It’s just autopilot: doing what needs to be done.”

An online fundraiser to support the family’s stay in the city and Kaylie’s long recovery has raised nearly $100,000. A candlelight vigil was also held last weekend.

Cobalt, Ont., community members will hold a candlelight vigil for Smith on Nov. 6. (Charlie Angus/X)

Suspect known to police

Protesters gathered outside the Haileybury courthouse Tuesday morning ahead of Gagnon’s bail proceedings. They carried signs that read “Justice for Kaylie” and “No Bail.”

OPP confirmed Gagnon had previous dealings with police.

Court records show he attacked Smith’s stepfather in May and was given a suspended sentence and probation in October — just days before he allegedly attacked Smith.

LOOK | Suspect was on probation at the time of the attack:

His conditions include a ban on the possession of weapons.

Kaylee Kennedy, one of the protesters outside the courthouse, said the situation is heartbreaking.

“Domestic violence is no joke. To go through something like that, her whole life has changed, and it breaks my heart,” Kennedy said. “She will never be the same again.”

Phillipe Gagnon appeared in court in Haileybury, Ontario on November 12. (Lauren Foster-MacLeod)