A 70-year-old man has been arrested after a car crashed into a York Region daycare on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in the death of a one-and-a-half-year-old boy.
The full-size Hyundai electric vehicle struck and injured seven children and three adult staff members across several rooms at First Roots Early Education Academy, located on Yonge Street and Nottingham Drive in Richmond Hill.
The driver was taken into custody at the scene and charged with dangerous driving causing death, along with two counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm.
These charges have yet to be proven in court.
According to police, there’s no indication that the crash was intentional based on initial information received.
“The vehicle was in the parking lot at the time and, for reasons unknown, drove through the front of the window,” stated York Regional Police Const. Kevin Kebrija on Wednesday.
At the time of the collision, around 100 people were inside the daycare. The toddler was declared dead after being taken to the hospital, while two other children remain critically injured as of Thursday afternoon. All other victims are reported to have non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.
Investigators are actively collecting evidence and seeking witness accounts. Police mentioned that further charges could be forthcoming.
“Our thoughts are with all of those injured and impacted by this incident,” Chief Jim Mac Sween expressed in a statement today. “We know the effects from this heartbreaking and traumatic event will be felt across our region.”
“We are heartbroken by the tragic Richmond Hill daycare crash,” shared the York Regional Police Association. “Our deepest condolences to the family who lost a child, and our thoughts are with all affected. Thank you to first-responders, health-care and daycare staff who acted with care and courage in the face of this tragedy.”
Mac Sween praised the “heroic response” from onsite staff members and nearby construction workers immediately following the crash.
Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra also voiced his concerns about this incident on social media.
“Grateful to first-responders for their swift action, and thinking of everyone affected during this very difficult time,” Calandra wrote.
In an interview with at the scene, Richmond Hill Mayor David West expressed his sorrow for families impacted by what he described as an “unimaginable tragedy” and a “nightmare.”
People have been leaving stuffed animals, flowers, and condolence notes outside First Roots Early Education Academy as a gesture of sympathy.
First Roots issued a statement on its Facebook page about their community’s “state of shock.”
“We are devastated and still processing what happened, but our foremost and only priority is supporting our families and staff members,” they said. “We wish to share our gratitude for the outpouring of support and sympathy and want to thank emergency services personnel who assisted affected children and their families as well as our staff members. We ask that our community be given privacy to grieve and recover during this unimaginably difficult time.”
“We’re also continuing to work with York Regional Police’s investigation which is still in its early stages, sincerely asking everyone to keep our school, community, and families in their thoughts as we support each other through this tragedy.”
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