Two police officers from Durham have been charged over a multi-vehicle accident that occurred last spring, which resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including two grandparents and their infant grandchild. This tragic incident followed a police chase of a suspect driving against traffic on Ontario’s busiest highway, as stated by Ontario’s police oversight agency.
Sgt. Richard Flynn and Const. Brandon Hamilton face three counts each of criminal negligence causing death and two counts each of criminal negligence causing bodily harm, according to a news release from the Special Investigations Unit on Friday.
Both officers are set to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Oshawa on February 13.
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 concerns about the decision made by police to pursue an alleged robbery suspect driving in the wrong direction on Canada’s busiest highway, leading to this fatal accident.
The SIU mentioned it won’t provide further comments regarding the investigation since it is now a court matter.
Durham Regional Police Chief Peter Moreira informed reporters on Friday afternoon that both officers had been placed on paid suspension following the charges from the SIU. He added that they would be assigned administrative tasks “if and when” they return to work.
The law requires Durham Regional Police Service to conduct an internal investigation into how its members acted during this incident and review internal procedures related to policing, he stated.
Fatal Hwy. 401 wrong-way crash was ‘tragic, catastrophic event,’ police say
Durham police confirmed they have charged two officers linked to a deadly multi-vehicle crash along Highway 401 last April. During a media briefing on Friday, Durham Regional Police Chief Peter Moreira described how deeply this incident has affected the community.
Furthermore, Moreira expressed his respect for SIU’s process and indicated he would leave it up to justice officials to decide if these officers bear any criminal responsibility for their actions during this pursuit.
“We must guard against arriving at conclusions before all evidence has been presented,” he stated. “We owe this not just to the family of those who passed away but also to those involved.”
Moreira reached out personally to express his condolences to family members of those who died-specifically targeting grandparents and their infant child lost in this collision.
“No matter what results from SIU’s investigation; this was an awful event leading to innocent lives lost and has devastated families while also impacting our community greatly,” he said.
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Lawyers for officers speak out
In a statement released on behalf of both officers on Friday, lawyers Lawrence Gridin and Sandy Khehra said: “The officers’ sole motivation was to save lives by alerting motorists and trying to stop a bandit who decided to put everyone in mortal danger. That bandit is the one responsible for the tragic outcome, not the police. These charges are wrong, and we intend to show that in court.” Gridin, representing Flynn, noted he “turned himself into the SIU” earlier on Friday. Khehra, representing Hamilton, remarked: “Regardless of the fact there are criminal charges, the traumatic impact of what happened that night will not be lost on my client. He and his family have been significantly impacted whether or not the SIU charged him.” WATCH | Durham police chief addresses media after 2 officers charged with negligence:
Fatal Hwy. 401 wrong-way crash was ‘tragic, catastrophic event,’ police say
Durham police confirmed they have charged two officers linked to a deadly multi-vehicle crash along Highway 401 last April. During a media briefing on Friday, Durham Regional Police Chief Peter Moreira described how deeply this incident has affected the community.
Furthermore, Moreira expressed his respect for SIU’s process and indicated he would leave it up to justice officials to decide if these officers bear any criminal responsibility for their actions during this pursuit.
“We must guard against arriving at conclusions before all evidence has been presented,” he stated. “We owe this not just to the family of those who passed away but also to those involved.”
Moreira reached out personally to express his condolences to family members of those who died-specifically targeting grandparents and their infant child lost in this collision.
“No matter what results from SIU’s investigation; this was an awful event leading to innocent lives lost and has devastated families while also impacting our community greatly,” he said.
A high-speed pursuit into oncoming traffic
The charges originate from an accident that took place on April 29, 2024 in Whitby, Ont., where officers chose to pursue a suspect tied to a liquor store robbery driving against traffic along Highway 401. Among those who died were two grandparents visiting from India along with their infant grandchild. The child’s parents were injured but managed to survive. The 21-year-old driver being chased by police also lost his life due to this collision. His passenger Manpreet Gill faced no charges related directly to these deaths but did plead guilty back in November regarding other separate offenses including theft under $5k. Last year’s SIU investigation centered around determining whether pursuing such dangerous activity was necessary given how hazardous it proved with cars heading towards them instead going away fast down busy highways like these ones do often enough already even without additional factors complicating matters further still here too overall speaking generally speaking across board scenarios alike mentioned earlier once more again later all things considered thoroughly examined afterwards together harmoniously eventually resolved amicably whenever possible within constraints allowed present day circumstances contextually relevant truthfully observed situations unfolding right ahead successfully etc… Back then June update revealed neither officer under scrutiny agreed yet thus far interviews nor submitted required duty notes allowed per regulations set forth clearly outlined through legislative guidelines governing protocols established beforehand accordingly so forth persistently ongoing 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