Ontario’s police oversight agency has charged two officers related to a deadly wrong-way chase on Highway 401 that occurred last spring.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) announced on Friday 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 news comes over eight months after a tragic multi-vehicle crash took place on April 29, 2024, in Whitby, Ontario.
On that night, the SIU reported that several Durham officers were pursuing a cargo van linked to an alleged robbery at a liquor store in nearby Clarington, Ontario.
According to SIU spokesperson Monica Hudon, officers found a U-Haul cargo van they were interested in and followed it through various streets in Durham Region “as the vehicle drove 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 vehicle entered Highway 401 at Stevenson Road in Oshawa heading the wrong way and was going westbound in the eastbound lanes.
Not long after this, Hudon stated there was a multi-vehicle collision involving at least six cars on Highway 401 just east of Highway 412 in Whitby. This resulted in the deaths of a three-month-old child along with their grandmother, age 55, and grandfather, age 60. Two other family members were also injured during the crash.
The driver of the van was identified as a 21-year-old man who also died in the incident; meanwhile, a passenger aged 38 suffered serious injuries.
Afterward, law enforcement officials and emergency dispatchers in Durham were ordered to complete training regarding pursuits within two months following the crash.
Gokulnath Manivannan and his wife Ashwitha were traveling that evening; they expressed their feelings through a statement released by SIU back in May saying: “Our family is reeling.”![Click to play video: 'Ford calls deadly Highway 401 crash a ‘tragedy,’ says high-speed chases should be avoided']()
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2:21 Fresh details emerge about deadly, wrong-way collision on Ontario’s Highway 401
The vehicle entered Highway 401 at Stevenson Road in Oshawa heading the wrong way and was going westbound in the eastbound lanes.
Not long after this, Hudon stated there was a multi-vehicle collision involving at least six cars on Highway 401 just east of Highway 412 in Whitby. This resulted in the deaths of a three-month-old child along with their grandmother, age 55, and grandfather, age 60. Two other family members were also injured during the crash.
The driver of the van was identified as a 21-year-old man who also died in the incident; meanwhile, a passenger aged 38 suffered serious injuries.
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Get daily Canada news delivered to your inbox so you’ll never miss the day’s top stories. While it’s standard for the SIU to finish investigations into police actions within 120 days, they noted back in August that more time was needed for a comprehensive investigation. Story continues below The SIU mentioned that two officers involved did not agree to be interviewed or provide their duty notes since they have that legal right. The case includes nineteen designated witness officials and thirty-six civilian witnesses. Durham Regional Police Chief Peter Moreira stated he would “respect the process” while also conducting his own internal review. “The fact remains that regardless of what comes from the SIU investigation, this was an awful event leading to innocent lives lost and has deeply affected our community,” he shared during an impromptu press conference on Friday. Moreira confirmed that both officers have been suspended with pay and will take on administrative roles “if and when they’re reinstated.” He mentioned their years of service being thirty-two and four years respectively. “Our officers often face situations requiring quick decisions within increasingly complex environments while trying to protect lives from dangerous criminals – we’re accountable for our choices,” Moreira remarked. “Whether you’re concerned about the fleeing suspect or how officers made decisions during this incident, we all need to respect our justice system and allow time for this process to work out.” Story continues belowThe Family’s Heartache
Coverage of Canada View more videos This situation raised questions regarding why police chose to pursue the van against traffic on the highway.Afterward, law enforcement officials and emergency dispatchers in Durham were ordered to complete training regarding pursuits within two months following the crash.
Gokulnath Manivannan and his wife Ashwitha were traveling that evening; they expressed their feelings through a statement 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 a short time again,” Gokulnath said.
“1:16 Fresh details emerge about deadly wrong-way collision on Ontario’s Highway 401.”
“He added his parents had come all the way from Chennai India solely to spend time with their grandson; they arrived just two days before this tragedy.”
“My father recently retired at sixty; he was thrilled about spending quality time with his grandson,” read part of his statement.
“He fondly called it ‘the year of grandparent fun.'”
“My son’s grandmother looked forward eagerly anticipating every moment she could spend with her son as well as her grandson planning everything around him.”
“The pain from my own injuries is nothing compared to grappling with losing my parents alongside my only son all within one night; my wife’s ongoing struggles due surgeries leave me haunted by traumatic memories,” Gokulnath wrote. Both Flynn and Hamilton must appear before Ontario Court Justice located Oshawa scheduled for February thirteenth. – reported by Isaac Callan from . ©2025 , a division Corus Entertainment Inc.Source link
