Family of slain teen breaks silence

The family of a Winnipeg girl killed by an alleged drunk driver on the weekend is breaking their silence and extending prayers to the suspect as they grieve.

Amutha Subramaniam, 17, was one of five people in a Pontiac Sunfire that was hit by a Chevy Cavalier at Bishop Grandin and St. Mary's Road early Sunday morning.

Senhit Mehari, 19, was also killed. An 18-year-old woman remains in hospital in critical condition. Two others in the Sunfire were treated in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the Cavalier, 17, is facing numerous charges including two counts of impaired driving causing death and criminal negligence causing death. She is not in custody and cannot be identified under Canadian youth justice laws.

Subramaniam's sister, Anita, said Wednesday that Amutha was a University of Manitoba student who loved dancing. All five of the occupants of the Sunfire were very close friends, she said.

"A lot of people have already extended their condolences. it's overwhelming," she said.

"It just shows how much [Amutha] was loved and how much she is going to be missed."

Mehari's family has said the five friends had gone to a Halloween party and may have been going to get coffee at the McDonald's restaurant Senhit worked at the time of the collision.

Anita Subramaniam said her family is grieving but don't think the girl accused of killing Amutha is solely to blame for her death, suggesting drunk-driving is a societal problem.

Anita said the family is praying for the suspect and said they can't imagine what she's going through.

Memorial services for Amutha are being arranged, the family said.

Police have said the teen suspect potentially faces additional charges, but so far have not laid any.