News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating Collision on Highway 401 in Whitby that Resulted in Fatalities

Case Number: 24-OVD-187   

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Mississauga, ON (30 April, 2024) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding a multi-vehicle collision on Highway 401 last night in Whitby that resulted tragically in the deaths of four individuals.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 7:50 p.m. on April 29, 2024, the Durham Regional Police Service became aware of a robbery at an LCBO in Clarington.
  • Officers made their way to the scene, and located a cargo van of interest.
  • Officers followed the cargo van through numerous streets in Durham region.
  • At some point, the cargo van entered Highway 401 at Stevenson Road, going in the wrong direction. It was traveling westbound in eastbound lanes.
  • Shortly after, there was a multi-vehicle collision involving at least six vehicles.
  • An occupant of the cargo van was pronounced deceased at the scene. Three individuals – a 60-year-old, a 55-year-old and an infant – were also pronounced deceased at the scene. One other person was transported to hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

Five investigators, one forensic investigator and one collision reconstructionist have been assigned to the case.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at: https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php

If you or someone you know is an affected person in need of support, please call the Affected Persons Program General Referral Line at 1-877-641-1897 or click here for more information: siu.on.ca/en/apc.php

The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as special constables with the Niagara Parks Commission and peace officers with the Legislative Protective Service) that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, the Director of the SIU must

  • consider whether the official has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
  • depending on the evidence, cause a criminal charge to be laid against the official where grounds exist for doing so, or close the file without any charges being laid
  • publicly report the results of its investigations

Lisez ce communiqué en français.

Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES