An Indian couple visiting Canada and their three-month-old grandchild were tragically killed in a multi-vehicle collision caused by a liquor store robbery suspect fleeing police. The collision, which also claimed the life of the suspect, occurred on Highway 401 near Toronto. The couple’s son and daughter-in-law, parents of the infant, sustained injuries.
The incident involved at least six vehicles and prompted a closure of the highway. The SIU is investigating the matter, while witnesses like Milica Maljkovic Birkett recount harrowing experiences. This tragic event underscores the devastating consequences of reckless actions on the road.
An Indian couple and their 3-month-old grandchild fell victim to a multi-vehicle collision on Highway 401 in Whitby, about 50 kilometres east of Toronto. They were involved in the accident along with other at least six vehicles. The collision took place when Ontario police were chasing down a 21-year-old for a liquor store robbery.
The suspect also died in the same accident when he was in Bowmanville and ended around 20 minutes later after the suspect in a cargo van led Durham police on a high-speed chase against opposing traffic on Highway 401.
Along with the Indian couple and their grandson, a total of four people were pronounced dead. The family was visiting from India and were accompanied by other family members who sustained injuries.
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) said that two of the victims, a 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman, were visiting from India. However, they did not release the names of the victims.
The agency said that the parents of the infant, his 33-year-old father and 27-year-old mother, were travelling in the same vehicle and were taken to hospital.
The mother’s injuries are serious, the SIU said.
As per the information provided by officals, around 20 minutes later after the suspect in a cargo van led Durham police on a high-speed chase against opposing traffic on Highway 401.
A 38-year-old male passenger from the cargo van was also taken to the hospital to be treated for serious injuries. The autopsies for the victims were conducted in Toronto on Wednesday (1).
Seven investigators, one forensic investigator and one collision reconstructionist continue to investigate this case, the statement said.
The SIU is an agency called in to investigate whenever police are involved in a death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault. Milica Maljkovic Birkett, a witness to the deadly police chase and had a lucky escape, said she didn’t have time to think.
She was driving her regular commute on the 401 when she was suddenly face-to-face with the suspect van barrelling towards her car on the wrong way.
“I was like, ‘Oh my God, like what just happened? What’s going on?’” Maljkovic Birkett told CBC Toronto. Maljkovic Birkett said the experience has taken time to process.
“It’s so scary,” she said. “For whatever reason, somehow my life was spared. But (four) others were taken and that was just really heavy,” she said.
