On September 8, 2003, Linetsky and Vadim Schneider were on their way to the set of
15/Love in
Saint-Césaire, Quebec, in a
Dodge Caravan. For unknown reasons, the Dodge Caravan went off its original trajectory around 10:00 a.m. and across the middle band of the highway, finishing in the wrong direction on
Highway 10 West in Brossard. The van swerved into oncoming traffic, crossed the median, and struck a 20-foot
semi-truck head on, causing the vehicle to burst into flames. Both actors were knocked unconscious by the impact. Schneider died instantly on impact from multiple physical trauma while Linetsky went into cardiac arrest and died hours later from the combined effects of physical trauma, severe injuries, and burns. They were both 17 years old. In a statement, Stuart Snyder, President and CEO of
Cinar Corporation, wrote: == Tributes ==