|
|
Both lanes of Highway 401 through Durham Region have reopened Tuesday morning after four people, including an infant, died following a police pursuit on Monday night that ended in Whitby with a multi-vehicle crash and fatalities.By Colin Williamson photo
Both lanes of Highway 401 through Durham Region have reopened Tuesday morning after four people, including an infant, died following a police pursuit on Monday night that ended in Whitby with a multi-vehicle crash and fatalities.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which reviews police conduct, announced on Tuesday morning that four people were killed on April 29 in a crash that occurred in the eastbound Highway 401 lanes, just east of Highway 412.
The infant’s grandparents, aged 60 and 55, also died in the crash, SIU spokesperson Monica Hudon told media at the scene.
Hudon said at least six vehicles were involved in the fatal collision.
No police officers were reportedly injured.
Durham Regional Police said a driver was fleeing from an alleged robbery at an LCBO store in the Highway 2 and Green Road area in Bowmanville and entered the highway in the opposite direction.
According to SIU, an off-duty Durham police officer was at the LCBO store when the alleged robbery took place. The officer alerted Durham police and they dispatched investigators.
The suspect fled from the LCBO in a cargo van along various Durham streets before entering Highway 401 at Stevenson Road. The van went in the wrong direction, travelling westbound in eastbound lanes, said the SIU.
The suspect van later collided with a civilian car during the chase.
An occupant of the suspect van was also pronounced dead at the scene, Hudon said.
Hudon said the police chase lasted for about 20 minutes, starting at 7:50 p.m., from the LCBO. She would not confirm how many police vehicles were involved in the chase.
One other person was transported to hospital for treatment of serious injuries, added the SIU.
The provincial police watchdog has assigned five investigators, one forensic investigator and one collision Reconstructionist to the case.
Immediately following the collision, which occurred just after 8 p.m. on Monday, Ontario Provincial Police said that Highway 401 was closed in both directions with eastbound lanes blocked at Lake Ridge Road and westbound lanes shuttered at Brock Street in Whitby. The southbound Highway 412 lanes are also closed, with no access to the eastbound Highway 401 lanes, police say.
The westbound lanes of Highway 401 at Brock Street in Whitby reopened around 7 a.m. on April 30, followed by the eastbound lanes from Lake Ridge Road at approximately 9:45 a.m., say police.
Numerous vehicles were on the scene of a serious multi-vehicle crash on Highway 401 at Highway 412 in Whitby on Monday, April 29. The highway was closed in both directions following the collision at 8:15 p.m.
By Highway 401 traffic cameras
In an online post just before 10 p.m. on April 29, Durham police said that there was a “pursuit” following an alleged robbery in Clarington.
“The suspect fled when police arrived and a pursuit was initiated. The suspect proceeded onto the 401 highway in the opposite direction, resulting in a multi-vehicle collision with fatalities,” said Durham police.
Traffic camera pictures from the crash show at least two tractor-trailers were involved.
The Durham service did not say how many people were injured or killed.
“This incident involves Durham Regional Police and as a result of their interaction in this situation the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) have invoked their mandate,” said Sgt. Kerry Schmidt, an OPP spokesperson.
In an emailed response on Tuesday morning, Durham police said they could not provide any further information due to the SIU joining the investigation.
An email was also sent to the SIU seeking more information.
Detours were in place, with motorists asked to use Victoria Street to the south and Highway 2 to the north, added the OPP.
The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at: https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php.
Numerous vehicles were on the scene of a serious multi-vehicle crash on Highway 401 at Highway 412 in Whitby on Monday, April 29. The highway was closed in both directions following the collision at 8:15 p.m.
By Highway 401 traffic cameras
What we know
• Patients rushed to area hospitals and a Toronto trauma centre
• Durham police are assisting with the highway closures
• Whitby Fire is helping with the cleanup
• Debris strewn across all lanes of the highway
• Command centre set up near crash site
What we don’t know
• Severity of injuries
• How long highway will be closed
• How many vehicles involved
~ With files from Bruce Froude and Torstar
来源链接：
https://www.toronto.com/news/crime/updated-grandparents-infant-among-4-dead-following-a-police-pursuit-along-highway-401-that-ended/article_9b38ace6-74e2-5a07-8ab6-2b9ca4460018.html
|
|
