New dispatch audio reveals that an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer was worried someone was going to get hurt during a police chase that ended in a fatal crash on Highway 401.
On Monday night, the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) responded to a call around 7:50 p.m. about a robbery at an LCBO near Green Road and Highway 2 in Clarington.
According to DRPS, the suspect pulled a knife on an officer before fleeing the scene. Officers began chasing the vehicle which then proceeded onto Highway 401 in the opposite direction.
Shortly after, there was a multi-vehicle collision that led to four fatalities, including a baby, the infant’s grandparents and an occupant in the suspect vehicle police were chasing. A fifth person was also rushed to hospital for serious injuries.
The victims and suspect’s identities have not been released.
New dispatch audio involving an OPP officer, obtained by CTV News, discloses the moments prior to the deadly crash that involved at least six vehicles. The audio says at least 12 police vehicles were pursuing the vehicle described as a U-Haul cube van.
“Durham’s in pursuit the wrong way, is going westbound, eastbound lands passing Thickson,” the OPP officer said.
“Comms Centre if we can pass on, just want to make sure the Durham sergeant’s aware that they’re driving in the opposite direction. Someone’s going to get hurt,” the officer continued.
The collision has prompted questions from the public as to why police would chase the suspect vehicle the wrong way down the 401.
According to an internal police document obtained by the Toronto Star, Durham police were told to call off the chase by a supervisor.
The report says police got the order just before the suspect vehicle drove onto the 401. It goes on to say that one of the officers believed police presence on the highway would be enough to alert the public and move out of the way.
As a result, the collision transpired three minutes following the attempt to call it off.
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is now investigating the collision and says it has assigned five investigators, one forensic investigator and one collision reconstructionist to the case.
In a statement posted by DRPS Tuesday afternoon, the DRPS said their thoughts are with those impacted by the tragedy.
“This incident has had a profound impact on our community and our members. We understand there are many questions, however there is a legislated process regarding investigations conducted by the SIU that our service must adhere to. DRPS is fully cooperating with the SIU and as such are unable to make a public statement on this incident,” the statement read.
