Musician killed in crash remembered as a caring lover of nature

Family and friends of Julia Cleveland remembered her as a caring and vibrant artist during a celebration of life on Sunday after she was killed in a crash last month. 

The jazz musician died after a collision near Annette Street and Pacific Avenue on Sept. 23. A 57-year-old man has been charged with one count of careless driving causing death and two counts of careless driving causing bodily harm in connection with the crash, police said Friday. 

Cleveland's sister, Tara, told CBC Toronto the past two weeks have been a nightmare. 

"We were very close and I can't imagine what a future is going to be like without her," she said at the memorial of life, which was held at the University of Toronto's Walter Hall. 

Cleveland, 46, performed her final recital at Walter Hall, Tara said. She was also an alumni of the university, having studied classical percussion performance, and worked there for several years after graduating. 

Tara described Cleveland as quirky, creative and caring. Cleveland loved her garden, where she had set up several bird feeders and bird fountains. The sisters would chat and drink tea together while watching the birds. 

"She used to call it 'bird TV,'" Tara said. 

A lover of playing music and playing games alike, Cleveland had "so much spirit," Tara said. "She was so alive." 

On the evening of Sept. 23., the man charged was driving a Hyundai Elantra north on Pacific Avenue, while a woman was driving a Hyundai Tucson west on Annette Street, police said in a news release Friday. The man hit the woman's car, redirecting it onto the northwest corner of the intersection where Cleveland and another man were walking on the sidewalk. 

Cleveland was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other man was taken to hospital with minor injuries. Tara said the injured man was Julia's partner. 

Under the Highway Traffic Act, a person convicted of careless driving causing death faces a fine between $2,000 to $50,000, up to two years in prison or both penalties. Their driver's license may be suspended for up to five years. 

Tara said it was shocking "that somebody could be careless and kill somebody in their car and could get away with just paying a fine." 

She added, "It's a tragedy on top of another tragedy." 

Cleveland's family friend, Caitlin McPhail Burrell, owns the Bluebird Bar, located near the city's Roncesvalles neighbourhood. Cleveland initiated the bar's weekly live music nights and programmed them regularly before the COVID-19 pandemic, she said.