Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
"Heartfelt condolences on tragic loss of Indian nationals Mr. Manivannan, Mrs. Mahalakshmi & their grandchild in the Highway 401 collision," the consulate wrote in a post on social media Friday afternoon.
According to the post, the consul general had met with the family at the hospital and "assured all possible assistance."
"We are in touch with Canadian authorities," the consulate said.
The three-month-old boy and his grandparents were travelling in a Nissan Sentra on the eastbound lanes of the highway in Whitby on Monday when the collision occurred. Before the crash, Durham Regional Police officers were in a high-speed pursuit of a suspect cargo van travelling west on the eastbound lanes.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which is probing the actions of police in the April 29 incident, said the infant's parents were also in the Sentra with them at the time. They were taken to the hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, the 21-year-old driver of the cargo van was pronounced dead at the scene, while a 38-year-old male passenger was transported to the hospital with serious injuries.
According to the SIU, the incident began at an LCBO store in Bowmanville, where Durham police were called for a robbery. The male suspect fled the scene, but officers followed him through numerous streets and on Highway 401.
The conduct of police has been under scrutiny following the fatal collision, with many questioning why officers continued to chase the suspect vehicle as it was going the wrong way on the highway.
"We understand there are many questions, however there is a legislated process regarding investigations conducted by the SIU that our service must adhere to," Durham police said in an April 30 statement, adding that they were fully cooperating with the investigation.
The SIU has designated two subject officials and four witness officials. Seven investigators, a forensic investigator and a collision reconstructionist have been assigned to the case.
With files from CP24's Joshua Freeman and Joanna Lavoie
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Canadian border workers vote in favour of possible strike: union
Border workers have voted in favour of a strike mandate which could lead to 'significant disruptions' to the flow of goods, services and people through Canadian ports of entry, their union said Friday morning.
BREAKING World Court orders Israel to halt assault on Gaza's Rafah
Judges at the top United Nations court ordered Israel on Friday to halt its military assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, in a landmark emergency ruling on South Africa's case accusing Israel of genocide.
BREAKING Toddler dies after being struck by recycling truck in Barrie, Ont. neighbourhood
A toddler has died after being struck by a recycling truck in a Barrie, Ont. neighbourhood on Thursday afternoon.
Milk sold in Canadian stores tested for avian flu: Results of 303 samples
As avian flu spreads south of the border, Canadian officials are now testing samples of milk sold in grocery stores across the country.
Ontario patients visiting emergency rooms out of fear of being booted by family doctor
Ontario patients are now visiting emergency departments out of fear of being de-rostered from their doctor’s office – a loophole that results in hospitals dealing with non-urgent cases, and disrupts continuity of care paramount to family medicine, according to health-care experts.
Top Russian military officials are being arrested. Why is it happening?
It began last month with the arrest of a Russian deputy defense minister. Then the head of the ministry’s personnel directorate was hauled into court. This week, two more senior military officials were detained. All face charges of corruption, which they have denied.
Outdated rules and mounting losses: Can anything be done to fix Canada Post?
Canada Post needs drastic measures to staunch the fiscal bleeding and revamp its operations after a tough decade, experts say.
American Airlines retreats after blaming a 9-year-old for not seeing a hidden camera in a lavatory
American Airlines has distanced itself from a court filing in which the carrier said a nine-year-old girl should have noticed there was a camera taped to the seat of an airplane lavatory.
What is 'slapped cheek disease' and should parents be concerned?
Despite its rough name, experts say most cases of 'slapped cheek disease' are mild and not a cause for concern.