The shocking death of Dominik Adamek has devastated a Springwater Township family, who are desperately seeking justice in the wake of the tragedy.
Dominik was killed on May 5 after he was struck by a car near the intersection of Wilson Road and Carson Road in Springwater Township. The 27-year-old, who was walking on the shoulder of the road at the time of the collision, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the lone car involved in the crash fled the scene.
Kristian Adamek, Dominik’s younger brother, Andrew Adamek, Dominik’s father and Diane Adamek, Dominik’s mother, sat down with Barrie Today Thursday to talk about Dominik, the legacy he left, and to plead for justice.
“We wanted to talk about the kind of person my brother was... how much positivity and good he brought into other people’s lives. He had a bright attitude, always smiling and laughing. He shared that with anyone and everyone around him," said Kristian. "His friends said his laugh was contagious. He started laughing and it wouldn’t even be that funny, but everyone would just start laughing, too. He made everyone smile and live a brighter life."
The Adamek family is hopeful that speaking about Dominik might inspire others to come forward with information about the collision.
“We wanted to ask for help from the public. We want to do as much as we can for my brother. We can’t do much more... he’s now passed. Any opportunity we have to help, we want to take it, to have some sort of justice," Kristian said. "It’s the least we can have at this point. We can’t bring him back.
“We hope this never happens to any other family. We have to live through this sort of suffering with this hole in our hearts for the rest of our lives. We don’t want this for anyone,” said Kristian, his voice breaking with emotion. “We want justice. We want him caught.”
Dominik had only recently returned home. After high school, he went to university at Ryerson where he attained a Bachelor of Commerce degree. After graduation he got a job at RBC in Toronto. He worked his way up the ladder and became an e-sourcing manager in downtown Toronto. In the fall of 2017, he moved back to Springwater to join in the family business building custom homes.
“I’d had the plan of coming home after I finished school, which I just recently did in December. Dominik wanted to do the best he could and make our parents proud. So he gave up his luxury life of living downtown to come back, too. He loved it there – the downtown scene, the people and the environment, and his friends. But he gave that all up to make the family proud and be with the family here.”
Kristian is grateful for the time he got to spend with his brother before he died.
“For the last three months (when we were working together in the family business), I got to see him everyday, and he brought so much happiness into my life. That’s now empty,” he says.
Andrew finds it hard to drive around the area and see signs for his business.
“They all say, ‘Father and Sons’... I don’t have sons (anymore). I have a son, only. That’s heartbreaking,” Andrew says tearfully.
Dominik was also a musician; he had just recently finished an EP with his band Tails, You Lose.
“On the date of his funeral, that was supposed to be the release date for his album. He had set it up a week before he died. All his friends were to attend, they were all confirmed, ready to go,” says Kristian.
After Dominik’s death, the band managed to release the album on Soundcloud and YouTube.
Kristian has a message specifically for the person who killed his brother.
“Come forward. How can you sleep at night, knowing you killed someone? Confess. It doesn’t make sense for you to get away and be free. You should serve time. Accept the punishment. You’ve done wrong, you should be punished,” he says.
Andrew feels the family’s lives will never be the same after this tragedy.
“Dominik was our Christmas baby, he was born Dec. 22. We’re never going to have Christmas again,” says Andrew, his voice breaking. “On Mother’s Day, we had his funeral.”
“That will be an impact on our lives forever. Our lives will never be the same,” finished Kristian.
“It’s so hard for us, but we really want to help. We know we have to do this,” says Diane. “This killer lives somewhere... maybe next week he might do the same thing to someone else. We have to stop those kinds of people. Nobody’s going to bring our son back, but I don’t want anyone to have to go through what we’re going through.”
Kristian said their efforts are in honour of Dominik. “I have to be strong. Dom was always happy; he wouldn’t want us all depressed and sad. So, we’re doing our best to try to stay strong. Make Dominik proud,” says Kristian.
Police have received numerous tips concerning the case and have spoken to eyewitnesses.
OPP Det.-Const. Chris Lesage is heading up the investigation and says the OPP has received about a dozen positive tips that have aided police. He said the information has steered the investigation in the proper direction, although he indicated he couldn’t release much more at this time.
Police are still asking for assistance from the public by keeping an eye out for the involved vehicle - a dark grey 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla. The vehicle sustained front-end damage predominantly on the passenger side.
“Damage to that vehicle will be blatantly obvious,” says Lesage.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
