A 70-year-old man is facing charges for dangerous driving after an SUV crashed into a daycare north of Toronto on Wednesday, resulting in the death of a toddler and injuries to six other children.
Vinay Kumar Gupta, who was taken into custody at the scene in Richmond Hill, Ont., has been charged with one count of dangerous operation causing death and two counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm. He received bail following a brief court appearance on Thursday.
The boy who lost his life was just 1 1/2 years old, according to police. The other injured children, aged between 18 months and three years old, were transported to the hospital with various injuries.
As of Thursday morning, one child remained in critical condition at the hospital, police reported.
Three adult staff members from First Roots Early Education Academy also sustained injuries.
Investigators indicated that the crash did not seem intentional and have not yet determined what may have caused the incident during afternoon pickup time. They confirmed that the man was alone in the vehicle.
A judge at a Newmarket, Ont., court placed a publication ban on Thursday afternoon covering details discussed during Gupta’s bail hearing.
He was released on $25,000 bail under certain conditions such as living with a surety, not driving any vehicles, and not possessing keys to any cars.
A Hyundai electric vehicle was removed through the shattered window of the daycare and loaded onto a tow truck Wednesday evening. It appeared to have minimal damage aside from a hanging license plate and broken glass on its hood.
By Thursday morning, large plywood boards covered up the broken window along with other pieces of lumber.
Beneath it lay several stuffed animals facing toward the parking lot. Residents had also brought bouquets of flowers, a mini basketball, and a candle as tributes.
A sign reading “please slow down” still hung on the wall next to where the crash occurred.
Emirson Bekirovski was working when he received an urgent message from the daycare asking him to pick up his four-year-old daughter.
“My wife came and she was pretty traumatized to see all the helicopters and police cars,” Bekirovski said, noting that parents were given limited information about what had happened beyond being told to take their kids home.
Police confirmed there were 96 children present in multiple rooms at the center when the accident took place.
“We’re obviously very happy that our daughter’s with us and safe, but obviously we’re pretty traumatized at the fact this happened so close to home,” said Bekirovski.
The daycare shared a statement on social media late Wednesday expressing their “heartbroken and deeply saddened” feelings regarding the incident.
“Our heartful condolences go out to the family during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement said.
Ruth Brainis, a local resident with two small children herself, expressed feeling “devastated” upon hearing about what happened during her visit to lay flowers in honor of those affected families on Thursday morning.
“When it’s children, it hits really hard,” she said. “I can’t imagine the suffering these poor parents are going through. I don’t wish it on anybody.”
Hava Jouharchi has lived in Richmond Hill for over 25 years; she shared her shock upon learning about an accident occurring at her children’s former daycare.
“ My son was just passing by here like 10 minutes before it happened; that’s how I found out,” Jouharchi said.
“We don’t have anything like this happen here normally; I was just shocked.” Residents continued visiting throughout Tuesday bringing flowers or stuffed animals; some even brought their little ones along. One father carried his young daughter while her mother placed down some blooms. Gupta is expected back in court for his next appearance on October 16th. By Maan Alhmidi and Vanessa Tiberio Last 30 Days: 78 ,477 Votes All Time : 1 ,173 ,973 Votes4167 VOTESWould you move cities-or provinces-for affordability ?INsauga’s Editorial Standards and Policies
A judge at a Newmarket, Ont., court placed a publication ban on Thursday afternoon covering details discussed during Gupta’s bail hearing.
He was released on $25,000 bail under certain conditions such as living with a surety, not driving any vehicles, and not possessing keys to any cars.
A Hyundai electric vehicle was removed through the shattered window of the daycare and loaded onto a tow truck Wednesday evening. It appeared to have minimal damage aside from a hanging license plate and broken glass on its hood.
By Thursday morning, large plywood boards covered up the broken window along with other pieces of lumber.
Beneath it lay several stuffed animals facing toward the parking lot. Residents had also brought bouquets of flowers, a mini basketball, and a candle as tributes.
A sign reading “please slow down” still hung on the wall next to where the crash occurred.
Emirson Bekirovski was working when he received an urgent message from the daycare asking him to pick up his four-year-old daughter.
“My wife came and she was pretty traumatized to see all the helicopters and police cars,” Bekirovski said, noting that parents were given limited information about what had happened beyond being told to take their kids home.
Police confirmed there were 96 children present in multiple rooms at the center when the accident took place.
“We’re obviously very happy that our daughter’s with us and safe, but obviously we’re pretty traumatized at the fact this happened so close to home,” said Bekirovski.
The daycare shared a statement on social media late Wednesday expressing their “heartbroken and deeply saddened” feelings regarding the incident.
“Our heartful condolences go out to the family during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement said.
Ruth Brainis, a local resident with two small children herself, expressed feeling “devastated” upon hearing about what happened during her visit to lay flowers in honor of those affected families on Thursday morning.
“When it’s children, it hits really hard,” she said. “I can’t imagine the suffering these poor parents are going through. I don’t wish it on anybody.”
Hava Jouharchi has lived in Richmond Hill for over 25 years; she shared her shock upon learning about an accident occurring at her children’s former daycare.“ My son was just passing by here like 10 minutes before it happened; that’s how I found out,” Jouharchi said.
“We don’t have anything like this happen here normally; I was just shocked.” Residents continued visiting throughout Tuesday bringing flowers or stuffed animals; some even brought their little ones along. One father carried his young daughter while her mother placed down some blooms. Gupta is expected back in court for his next appearance on October 16th. By Maan Alhmidi and Vanessa Tiberio Last 30 Days: 78 ,477 Votes All Time : 1 ,173 ,973 Votes4167 VOTES
