A toddler has lost their life, and another child is in serious condition after a vehicle crashed into a daycare in Richmond Hill on Wednesday afternoon.
According to York Regional Police, five other children and three staff members were injured during the incident that occurred in the Yonge St.-Nottingham Dr. area shortly after 3 p. m.
The seven children involved were aged between one and three years old, police reported. All of them were taken to the hospital, including an 18-month-old toddler who unfortunately died shortly thereafter.
The other child is currently listed as critical.
Authorities stated that the driver, a man aged 70, was arrested at the scene. They clarified that the crash was not “a deliberate act.”
“As you can imagine, this was a very chaotic scene,” Const. Kevin Nebrija said. “I can tell you that the initial information suggests the vehicle was in the parking lot at the time, and for reasons unknown, drove through the front of the window.
“We can appreciate that this is a very alarming call for parents to receive and to attend at the end of their day.”
He mentioned all children had been accounted for and parents were informed.
A vehicle is towed away from First Roots Early Education Academy after it was driven through the daycare’s window in Richmond Hill, Ont., on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025.
At dusk, small blue and green chairs could be seen scattered beyond what remained of a completely shattered front window. About a dozen police cars lined up in the parking lot.
As daylight faded away, fire trucks arrived with firefighters entering the building. The sound of drilling could be heard.
Firefighters managed to remove a full-size Hyundai electric vehicle from inside onto a tow truck just as night fell. The vehicle appeared relatively undamaged; however, its front license plate hung loosely while glass fragments lay scattered on its hood.
Nebrija noted that there were 96 children present across multiple rooms in the facility at the time of impact.
“Our investigators are on scene collecting evidence and reviewing how far into the building (the vehicle) penetrated,” he said.
Neighbors expressed shock following this event.
Farrokh Zandi, who lives across from the daycare site shared his experience after catching wind of what transpired online.
“I just came out to see these police cars and then I was listening to news reports while observing everything unfold before me,” he said according to The Canadian Press while adding it felt “very tragic.”
Zandi described his neighborhood as generally safe but found it “very scary” knowing such an event could occur nearby.
“I am sure these parents must be going through hell,” he continued.
Faati Tabatabaei recounted seeing one child from her daycare arriving with their parents to pick up another sibling from an adjacent after-school program where she works.
She mentioned noticing that child had a scratch and looked frightened.
“I am scared too because I don’t know what happened exactly; it feels unsafe,” she expressed.
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The crash brought back difficult memories for Laval’s mayor in Quebec.
In 2023 , A city bus collided with another daycare , resulting in two fatalities among children alongside injuries sustained by six others. Earlier this year , A judge declared The driver responsible during proceedings.
Mayor Stéphane Boyer extended thoughts towards affected families throughout Ontario alongside Richmond Hill community via social media posts.
In Laval , we sadly understand how profoundly tragedies like these resonate within communities , leaving deep scars.
York Regional Police Chief Jim Mac Sween emphasized online that no family should face tragedies like this one.
Mac Sween confirmed ongoing investigations would ensure victims received necessary support along responders involved hereafter.
Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra shared concerns over this tragic occurrence along with sentiments directed toward everyone impacted hereby established guidelines surrounding safety protocols etc…
Yonge St. remained closed between Gamble & Brookside Roads ; motorists are urged To avoid areas Throughout investigation processes !
– With files from The Canadian Press…
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