UPDATE: Infant among 4 people killed in police pursuit crash on Highway 401 in Whitby, Ontario

Four people have died in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby.

The crash happened after Durham Regional Police were called to a robbery in Clarington last night. The suspect fled when police arrived and police pursued the driver as the vehicle entered Highway 401 travelling the wrong way around 8:30 p.m. yesterday (April 30).

The pursuit ended in a multi-vehicle collision.

Video shows a white U-Haul van followed by police.

The Special Investigations Unit has invoked its mandate and now says four people died in the crash.

“SIU investigating a multi-vehicle collision on Hwy 401 in Whitby last night that resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including an infant,” the SIU said in a post on X.

An SIU spokesperson is expected to attend the scene and provide more information this morning.

The SIU is responsible for investigating circumstances involving police that have resulted in a death or serious injury, or if a firearm was discharged at a person.

SIU investigating multi-vehicle collision on Hwy 401 in Whitby last night that resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including an infant. SIU spokesperson en route to Henry St overpass.

— Special Investigations Unit (@SIUOntario) April 30, 2024

UPDATE at 10:45 a.m.: The SIU confirmed three of the deaths were a pair of grandparents (aged 55 and 60) and their grandchild. The driver of the U-Haul also died in the crash.

They additionally confirmed a cargo van was fleeing a robbery around 7:50 p.m. at an LCBO at Green Road and Highway 2.

The cargo van travelled 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 travelling westbound in eastbound lanes.

Spokesperson Monica Hudon told the media six vehicles were involved in the crash. She did not specify if any officers were injured in the crash but noted she had not received any reports.