Rock thrown at moving vehicle causes serious crash north of Toronto
Police have released new video footage that shows a vehicle speeding through a red light and crashing into another vehicle in Markham after its driver was reportedly struck by a rock and rendered unconscious.
The incident is one of 20 similar occurrences in which rocks have been thrown at moving vehicles in Markham since September, according to police.
Eleven of those incidents have taken place along Highway 48 and are being investigated by Ontario Provincial Police while the nine remaining incidents took place within the jurisdiction of York Regional Police.
In the dashcam footage, released by police on Tuesday, a vehicle is shown approaching a red light at a high rate of speed at around 8:45 p.m. on Sept. 20.
The vehicle then enters the intersection and slams into the front of a car.
Police say that investigators believe a rock was thrown at the driver from the opposite lane of traffic, causing them to lose consciousness sometime prior to the collision.
The crash left two individuals with life-threatening injuries. Police say that one of the individuals has since been released from hospital while the other is still being treated.
Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances leading up to the collision but say that there are several reports that an SUV seen travelling in the opposite lane of traffic may have been involved.
The OPP is asking “anyone who can identify the vehicle and its passengers” to contact investigators.
“These innocent victims were simply travelling on our roadways, which should be safe for everyone. It’s shocking that such dangerous acts are occurring in our community,” Det. Insp. Sean Chatland said in a news release. “We’re determined to put a stop to it and to relentlessly pursue whoever is responsible. We want to ensure that no other family member or loved one has to endure such a traumatic experience.”
The Aurora detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police is investigating the rock-throwing incidents in cooperation with York Regional Police.
No suspect descriptions have been released so far.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's 'most wanted terrorist' arrested on gun charges in Canada
One of India's most wanted terrorists has been arrested and charged in connection with a recent alleged shooting in Ontario.
12-year-old boy charged in stabbing of 11-year-old boy at Edmonton McDonald's
The boy stabbed at a north Edmonton McDonald's last Friday is 11 years old.
What makes walking so great for your health and what else you need to do
Medical experts agree that walking is an easy way to improve physical and mental health, bolster fitness and prevent disease. While it’s not the only sort of exercise people should do, it’s a great first step toward a healthy life.
U.S. Congress hosts second round of UFO hearings
The U.S. government held another UFO hearing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, the second such hearing in 16 months. This hearing was billed as an attempt by congress to provide a better understanding of what is known about previous sightings of UFOs, also known as UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena).
Toronto teenager charged with first-degree murder in Kitchener, Ont. homicide
A Toronto teen has been charged as part of an investigation into Kitchener, Ont.’s first homicide of 2024.
Spy service officer denies threatening Montreal man who was later imprisoned in Sudan
A Canadian Security Intelligence Service official has denied threatening a Montreal man who was later imprisoned and allegedly tortured by authorities in Sudan.
Dave Coulier, 'Full House' star, has cancer
Dave Coulier, an actor and comedian who found fame as Uncle Joey on "Full House," has revealed he has been diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a blood cancer.
Donald Trump picks Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz to serve as attorney general
President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday said he will nominate Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to serve as his attorney general, putting a loyalist in the role of the nation's top prosecutor.
Canada bracing for 'tough' talks as Trump's pick calls northern border an 'extreme vulnerability'
The Canadian government is aware it's likely in for 'tough conversations' with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's administration, after his border czar said there is 'an extreme national security vulnerability' he intends to tackle at the Canada-U.S. border.