Montreal Family Installs 'Ghost Shoes' for 89-Year-Old Killed in Saint-Léonard Parking Lot

The family of Giuseppe Di Gioacchino, 89, installed a pair of white 'ghost shoes' on Sunday morning in the Saint-Léonard parking lot where the Montrealer was struck by a vehicle in May and died of his injuries 12 days later. (Photo: file image of a past ghost-shoe memorial in Montreal, not this ceremony.)

Struck by a U-turning vehicle in May; died 12 days later

CBC reported the collision took place on May 12 near the intersection of Jarry and Langelier streets, and Di Gioacchino died of his injuries 12 days later. His son, Dino Di Gioacchino, who heard about the incident from a family member by phone, says his father was struck by a vehicle making a U-turn in the parking lot.

Ghost shoes: a vigil and a call for pedestrian safety

Similar to ghost bikes, which mark the site of cyclist deaths, ghost shoes work as both a vigil and a call to action for pedestrian safety. The shoes placed in honour of Di Gioacchino are the fourth pair put up by Souliers et vélos fantômes Québec (SVFQ), a group which works to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians in the province. Séverine Le Page of SVFQ, who was present at the ceremony, says the danger of parking lots is often overlooked, and people should be aware of the danger they pose for pedestrians of all ages. Dominic Perri, mayor of the borough of Saint-Léonard, spoke at the memorial and promised to review the parking lot going forward.

75 pedestrians killed in Quebec in 2025; 18 in Montreal alone

In 2025, 75 pedestrians lost their lives in Quebec in automobile collisions. Eighteen of the fatal collisions were in Montreal alone, according to the Service de police de la ville de Montréal's 2025 annual review report. Plans for a ghost bike to honour his memory were called off after the family received hateful messages, CBC reported.

Sources: CBC News Montreal (2026-11-02).