A 23-year-old man from Markham has been charged with impaired operation in relation to the collision that took the life of York Regional Police Const. Travis Gillespie, who was driving to work at the time.
Peel Regional Police— which took over the investigation to avoid further traumatizing YRP members — said this afternoon that Haoju Zhou has been charged with impaired operation causing death and dangerous driving causing death.
At about 6 a.m. on Sept. 14, police received a call for a motor vehicle collision on Major Mackenzie Drive near Warden Avenue. The collision involved a white Honda Accord, which was driven by Gillespie, and a Porsche Cayenne.
Gillespie was pronounced deceased at the scene, while the other driver was taken into custody by YRP officers and transported to a trauma centre with minor injuries.
He was released from the hospital and appeared in the Superior Court of Justice in York Region on Sept. 14 for a bail hearing.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Road Safety Services (905) 453–2121, ext. 3710. You can submit a tip anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online.
Books of condolences for Gillespie's family have been left in police districts across York Region for members of the community to pay their respects.
