Man Charged in Highway 401 Crash Receives Probation

A man from the Toronto area involved in a robbery back in April – which resulted in a high-speed police pursuit and a tragic wrong-way crash on a busy highway – has been granted probation but warned he might still face “immigration consequences.”

The devastating, multi-vehicle accident on Highway 401 in Whitby, Ont., which is still being investigated by Ontario’s police oversight agency, resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including an infant.

Manpreet Gill, who was the only passenger in the cargo van that police chased, faced 13 charges, including robbery, but did not receive any charges related to the fatalities or the chase itself. An Oshawa, Ont., court learned last month that he served as the “lookout” during the liquor store theft in nearby Clarington on April 29, according to records reviewed by .

Using a Punjabi-language interpreter during his court appearance last month, he pleaded guilty to three counts, including a lesser charge of theft under $5,000. Other charges were dropped.

Manpreet Gill appeared in the Ontario Court of Justice in Oshawa on Aug. 1, 2024 by video link. (Pam Davies/CBC)

Gill also admitted to breaching probation and violating a release order. The court noted it was his second violation of bail conditions within two years as he struggled with opioid addiction.

Ontario Court Justice Russell Wood concurred with a joint sentencing recommendation from both Crown and defense attorneys, giving Gill a sentence of 5.5 months – which exceeds time already served – along with two years’ probation.

“I understand that … there’s the potential for immigration consequences,” Wood remarked. Gill’s immigration status in Canada remains uncertain. The court heard he completed high school and obtained a science degree back in India.

WATCH | What we know about the van involved in the deadly crash:

‘No justification’ for wrong-way highway police chase, expert says

Experts are raising questions regarding law enforcement’s choice to pursue an alleged robbery suspect who drove against traffic on Canada’s busiest highway, leading to a fatal crash.

Police chase still under investigation

The hearing held last November didn’t address the tragic series of events triggered after Gill and an accomplice stole $1,602.80 worth of alcohol.

According to Durham Regional Police, one suspect threatened an off-duty officer with a knife inside the store before fleeing in a U-Haul van. Following a high-speed chase through Durham region east of Toronto, multiple police vehicles pursued as they took off onto Highway 401 driving against traffic.

The pursuit concluded with a multi-vehicle collision that claimed the lives of three-month-old Aditya Vivaan and his two paternal grandparents visiting from India. Both parents were also injured during this incident.

The driver of the cargo van was later identified as Gagandeep Singh, aged 21; he was another victim killed during this collision alongside Gill who sustained serious injuries.

A representative for Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU), responsible for civilian oversight over policing matters confirmed that their investigation into this incident is ongoing. They have previously stated their inquiry focuses on two officers involved.

Investigators mentioned they’ve analyzed footage from traffic cameras along with body-worn cameras and vehicle dash cameras while conducting numerous interviews throughout their investigation.

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