In a devastating incident on Highway 401, four individuals, including an infant, lost their lives following a chain of events triggered by a robbery call in Clarington, Ontario, as reported by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU).
SIU spokesperson Monica Hudon disclosed that the tragic sequence began around 7:50 p.m. on Monday when off-duty Durham Regional Police officers were alerted to a robbery at an LCBO near Green Road and Highway 2 in Clarington. Upon arrival, officers identified a U-Haul cargo van as the vehicle of interest and commenced pursuit as it navigated erratically through the streets of Durham Region.
The situation took a catastrophic turn when the van entered Highway 401 at Stevenson Road in Oshawa, traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes. This reckless maneuver culminated in a multi-vehicle collision involving at least six vehicles on Highway 401, just east of Highway 412 in Whitby.
Tragically, the driver of the cargo van was pronounced dead at the scene. Additionally, three occupants of another vehicle—a 60-year-old, a 55-year-old, and an infant—lost their lives, with the latter identified as the grandchild of the older individuals. A fifth individual sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the hospital.
Hudon refrained from providing details regarding the robbery at the LCBO, emphasizing that the SIU’s investigation is ongoing and information is still being gathered. Moreover, video footage circulating online depicted a Durham Regional Police cruiser in pursuit of the van on Highway 401, prompting the SIU to extend its investigation to this aspect of the incident.
The SIU, an independent agency tasked with investigating incidents involving police conduct resulting in death or serious injury, confirmed that no officers were harmed during the incident.
Following the tragedy, Highway 401 was closed in both directions overnight between Lakeridge Road and Brock Street in Whitby, causing disruptions to traffic. However, by around 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, the highway had reopened in both directions.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated press conference, Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed his condolences, condemning the heartbreaking loss of life. Ford underscored the necessity of equipping law enforcement with adequate resources to minimize high-speed pursuits, citing plans to provide helicopters to police agencies across Ontario as part of this effort to enhance support and safety measures.
