Indian Couple and Grandchild Among Four Fatalities in Ontario Collision.
1 min read 2024-05-04, 05:40 PM IST
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In Short ⇒The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating a collision in Ontario, Canada, which claimed the lives of four individuals, including an Indian couple and their three-month-old grandchild. ⇒Two grandparents and their grandchild, visiting from India, were among the fatalities. ⇒The parents of the infant sustained injuries, with the mother in a serious condition. ⇒The collision involved a cargo van and multiple Durham Regional Police vehicles in pursuit of a suspect driving in the wrong direction on the highway. ⇒Eyewitnesses, like Mila Burkett, expressed shock at the events leading to the crash. ⇒Burkett’s dash cam footage captured the pursuit, raising questions about the use of air support by the police. ⇒The pursuit followed an alleged robbery attempt at a local LCBO in Bowmanville. ⇒Previous incidents involving pursuits ceased upon the arrival of air support, but details regarding its deployment in this case remain unclear. ⇒The SIU investigation involves two subject officials and four witness officials. ⇒Former SIU director Howard Morton stressed the gravity of assessing potential criminal offenses, including driving offenses and criminal negligence causing death. ⇒Community members seek accountability and answers in the wake of the tragic collision. |
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is actively probing the circumstances surrounding a tragic collision that claimed the lives of four individuals, including an Indian couple and their three-month-old grandchild, in Ontario, Canada. While investigations are ongoing, the SIU has provided additional details about the victims.
According to the SIU, the deceased include two grandparents and their infant grandchild, who were visiting from India at the time of the incident. The parents of the infant were also present in the vehicle during the crash. Both parents sustained injuries, with the mother reported to be in a serious condition. In addition to the family in the car, two men were occupants of the cargo van involved in the collision. The driver of the van, a 21-year-old individual, succumbed to his injuries at the scene, while a 38-year-old male passenger sustained severe injuries.(also read: Tensions Flare: Campus Protests, Diplomatic Strain, and Legal Battles Unfold).
The SIU is currently withholding information regarding the protocols followed or disregarded by the Durham Police during the pursuit that led to the tragic collision. The pursuit reportedly involved eleven Durham Regional Police vehicles, with the suspect driving a cargo van in the wrong direction on the highway. Eyewitnesses, including Mila Burkett, who narrowly avoided a collision, expressed shock and concern over the events leading up to the crash.
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Burkett’s dash cam footage captured the harrowing pursuit, showing multiple police vehicles chasing the suspect in the wrong direction. She questioned why air support, such as helicopters, was not utilized by the Durham Police during the pursuit. However, the deployment of air support remains unclear at this stage of the investigation.
Durham Police have previously highlighted their capability to deploy air support within minutes of a call. However, specific details regarding the utilization of air support in this particular incident are yet to be disclosed due to the ongoing investigation.
The pursuit reportedly ensued following an alleged robbery attempt at a local LCBO in Bowmanville. It has been noted that in previous incidents involving pursuits following robberies, police vehicles ceased pursuit upon the arrival of air support. However, the circumstances leading to the continuation of the pursuit in this case remain under scrutiny.
The SIU investigation has designated two subject officials and four witness officials for the probe. The SIU Director will determine which subject officers may be implicated in any potential criminal offenses. These subject officers will be requested to provide statements and present their notes, although their cooperation is not mandatory.
Howard Morton, a former director of the province’s police watchdog, emphasized the seriousness of the investigation, particularly in assessing driving offenses and potential charges of criminal negligence causing death.
As the investigation unfolds, the community seeks answers and accountability for the tragic loss of life in this devastating collision.
