Markham Man Charged With Impaired Driving After Collision Left A Police Officer Dead
The driver is 23 years old.
York Regional Police car. Right: York Regional Police Constable Travis Gillespie.
York Regional Police have charged a 23-year-old man after a car collision in Markham left a police officer dead.
The collision occurred at around 6 a.m. on Wednesday on Major Mackenzie Drive near Warden Avenue.
YRP Constable Travis Gillespie, who was in one of the vehicles involved, died on the scene. Police have charged the driver of one of the other vehicles, Haoju Zhou from Markham, with impaired operation causing death and dangerous operation causing death.
\u201cI\u2019m gutted by the news of the tragic death of another police officer in our province.\n\nMy thoughts are with the loved ones of Constable Travis Gillespie and the entire @YRP family as they mourn the loss of their beloved colleague.\u201d— Doug Ford (@Doug Ford) 1663172450
At the time of the incident, Zhou was taken into custody by YRP and brought to a trauma centre. Police say his injuries are "considered minor," and there was a third driver involved who did not sustain any injuries.
"Haoju Zhou was released from hospital and appeared for a bail hearing before the Superior Court of Justice in York Region on September 14, 2022," the press statement added.
According to YRP Chief Jim MacSween, the 38-year-old police officer was on his way to work when the collision occurred.
\u201cIt is with great sadness that I share the tragic passing of @YRP Constable Travis Gillespie who was killed in a collision on his way to work today. He is survived by his parents, loved ones and colleagues. This unexpected loss is devastating for all members of our organization.\u201d— Chief Jim MacSween (@Chief Jim MacSween) 1663168766
"This is devastating news for all members of our organization," said MacSween in a statement. "I offer my deepest condolences to Travis' family, friends and colleagues. It's never easy to lose a member, and to have lost Travis so unexpectedly is very difficult."
YRP has set up books of condolence in the lobbies of their stations, which members of the public are welcome to sign and which will eventually be sent to Gillespie's family.
Anyone with information is asked to call Road Safety Services at 905-453-2121, ext. 3710, or call Peel Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).