Police watchdog investigating fatal crash of allegedly stolen SUV in Scarborough
Ontario's police watchdog is investigating a crash in Scarborough involving an allegedly stolen vehicle that left one man dead and another badly injured.
A spokesperson for the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) told CBC Toronto that investigators were dispatched to the scene at the intersection of Markham Road and Milner Avenue, just north of Highway 401.
The crash happened around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Toronto police attempted to stop the driver of a stolen Mercedes SUV for speeding, according to an SIU news release on Wednesday. The driver fled at at a high speed, it added. According to Toronto police, it then ran a red light and then smashed into four other cars, causing the vehicle to roll over before crumpling into the side of a tractor trailer stopped at the corner.
A large field of debris could be seen scattered throughout the intersection.
The driver of the SUV was taken hospital, where he died, police said. Four other men were injured in the collision, including a driver of a van who is in hospital in critical condition.
The other three men had more minor injuries, paramedics said, though two of them were sent to hospital for treatment.
The collision involved a total of six vehicles, the news release said.
Peel Regional Police said in an email response to CBC Toronto that the Mercedes had been stolen from within their jurisdiction.
One of the vehicles involved in the crash rolled over. (Paul Smith/CBC)
Justin Wylie, who was stopped in his car at the intersection when the crash happened, said he watched as the driver of the SUV ran the red light and was sideswiped by another vehicle turning left.
"He went flying and hit everybody," Wylie said.
The SIU said it expects to have more information about the collision later Wednesday.
Both the intersection and the Highway 401 off-ramp onto Markham Road N. was closed for the police investigation. Drivers should expect delays in the area.
Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators.
