The police watchdog in Ontario has announced charges against two officers related to a tragic wrong-way chase on Highway 401 that occurred last spring.
On Friday, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) reported that Durham Regional Police officers Sgt. Richard Flynn and Const. Brandon Hamilton are each facing three counts of criminal negligence causing death, along with two counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm.
This update follows a multi-vehicle accident that took place over eight months ago on April 29, 2024, in Whitby, Ontario.
According to the SIU, several Durham officers were pursuing a cargo van linked to an alleged liquor store robbery in nearby Clarington, Ontario.
SIU spokesperson Monica Hudon explained that officers had identified a U-Haul cargo van as their vehicle of interest and tracked it through various streets in Durham Region while it was driving erratically.
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![Click to play video: 'Fresh details emerge about deadly, wrong-way collision on Ontario’s Highway 401']()
2:21 Fresh details emerge about deadly, wrong-way collision on Ontario’s Highway 401
The van entered Highway 401 at Stevenson Road in Oshawa going the wrong way and was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes.
Soon after this maneuver, Hudon stated there was a multi-vehicle collision involving at least six vehicles on Highway 401 just east of Highway 412 in Whitby. The crash resulted in the deaths of a three-month-old infant, along with their grandmother who was 55 years old and grandfather who was 60 years old. Two other family members were also present in the car and sustained injuries.
The driver of the van, who also died in the crash, was identified as a 21-year-old man; meanwhile, a male passenger aged 38 suffered serious injuries.
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The incident raised concerns regarding why police chose to pursue the van going against traffic on such a busy highway.
Following the crash emergency dispatchers as well as police personnel across Durham were ordered to undergo training concerning pursuits within two months.
Gokulnath Manivannan along with his wife Ashwitha were passengers involved during that night’s events speaking out about how they’ve been affected through statements released by SIU back in May saying: “Our family is reeling.”
“We are at a complete loss of words to describe the agony and vacuum in our hearts knowing we can never hold our child Aditya Vivaan who gave us so many precious memories in such short time again,” Gokulnath expressed.
![Click to play video: 'Ford calls deadly Highway 401 crash a ‘tragedy,’ says high-speed chases should be avoided']()
1:16 Ford calls deadly Highway 401 crash ‘tragedy’ says high-speed chases should be avoided
He added his parents came from Chennai India specifically looking forward spending time together with their grandson having arrived just two days prior before tragedy struck.
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2:21 Fresh details emerge about deadly, wrong-way collision on Ontario’s Highway 401
The van entered Highway 401 at Stevenson Road in Oshawa going the wrong way and was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes.
Soon after this maneuver, Hudon stated there was a multi-vehicle collision involving at least six vehicles on Highway 401 just east of Highway 412 in Whitby. The crash resulted in the deaths of a three-month-old infant, along with their grandmother who was 55 years old and grandfather who was 60 years old. Two other family members were also present in the car and sustained injuries.
The driver of the van, who also died in the crash, was identified as a 21-year-old man; meanwhile, a male passenger aged 38 suffered serious injuries.
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Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines delivered to your inbox once a day. The SIU is expected to finish its investigations into police conduct within 120 days; however, it indicated back in August that more time was needed for a “thorough investigation.” Story continues below The SIU mentioned that both officers involved in the pursuit did not participate in an interview or submit their duty notes as is their legal right. A total of nineteen witness officials and thirty-six civilian witnesses were designated for this case. Durham Regional Police Chief Peter Moreira stated he would “respect the process” while also carrying out his own internal investigation. More on Canada More videos “The fact remains that regardless of the results of the SIU investigation this was a tragic and catastrophic event that resulted in innocent lives being lost devastated families and has profoundly impacted our community,” he said during an impromptu news conference on Friday. Moreira noted that both officers have been suspended with pay and would take on administrative duties “if and when they’re reinstated.” He mentioned they have four years and thirty-two years of experience with law enforcement respectively. “Our officers are often called upon to make split-second decisions within an increasingly complex dynamic dangerous environment all while committed to protecting life from dangerous criminals – we’re held accountable for our actions,” Moreira added. “Whether your concern lies with suspected criminals fleeing from police or decision-making by officers during this incident we must respect our justice system while patiently allowing this process to unfold.” Story continues belowA Family’s Heartbreak
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The incident raised concerns regarding why police chose to pursue the van going against traffic on such a busy highway.
Following the crash emergency dispatchers as well as police personnel across Durham were ordered to undergo training concerning pursuits within two months.
Gokulnath Manivannan along with his wife Ashwitha were passengers involved during that night’s events speaking out about how they’ve been affected through statements released by SIU back in May saying: “Our family is reeling.”
“We are at a complete loss of words to describe the agony and vacuum in our hearts knowing we can never hold our child Aditya Vivaan who gave us so many precious memories in such short time again,” Gokulnath expressed.
1:16 Ford calls deadly Highway 401 crash ‘tragedy’ says high-speed chases should be avoided
He added his parents came from Chennai India specifically looking forward spending time together with their grandson having arrived just two days prior before tragedy struck.
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“My father recently retired at age sixty felt immense joy seizing opportunity spend valuable moments alongside grandson,” read part statement.
“He affectionately dubbed this time ‘year grandparents fun.’”
Gokulnath continued explaining how baby boy’s grandmother had looked forward eagerly every moment spent together planning everything around her grandchild during their visit.
“The pain I feel due injuries pales comparing shock grief losing parents only son same evening ordeal persists witnessing my wife suffering through surgeries dealing ongoing trauma flashbacks,” he wrote.
Both Flynn Hamilton expected appear before Ontario Court Justice Oshawa February thirteenth.
– with files from ’s Isaac Callan
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