The Consulate General of India in Toronto has confirmed the tragic demise of an Indian couple, Mr. Manivannan and Mrs. Mahalakshmi, along with their grandchild in a multi-vehicle collision on Highway 401. The collision occurred during a police pursuit of a robbery suspect driving the wrong way. The consulate general expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and assured them of all possible assistance.
The couple, believed to be from Tamil Nadu, was visiting Canada, and their three-month-old grandson also lost his life in the accident. The collision, involving at least six vehicles, resulted in the deaths of all four individuals, including the robbery suspect, on the scene in Whitby, approximately 50 km east of Toronto.
Initially reported by CBC News, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) stated that two of the victims, a 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman, were visiting from India. However, the SIU had not released their names at the time.
The SIU also mentioned that the parents of the infant, aged 33 and 27, were traveling in the same vehicle and were transported to the hospital. The mother sustained serious injuries, according to the SIU.
The fatal car chase originated from a liquor store robbery in Bowmanville, with the suspect fleeing the scene in a cargo van. The chase, lasting around 20 minutes, culminated in the collision on Highway 401, where the suspect drove against opposing traffic.
A 38-year-old male passenger from the cargo van was also hospitalized with serious injuries following the incident.
