Street racing could be linked to deadly crash that left woman in critical condition in Brampton, police say

Street racing could be linked to a violent crash that left one man dead and a woman fighting for her life in hospital, police say.

The deadly two-vehicle crash happened around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday at the intersection of Steeles Avenue and Finch Avenue.

Police say the driver of an Audi was travelling eastbound on Steeles while the operator of a Toyota Sienna was headed west. That’s when the Toyota made a lefthand turn to head south on Finch “and a violent collision ensued,” Peel Regional Police said.

A male passenger in the Toyota was pronounced dead following the crash and the female driver was rushed to hospital with critical injuries, while four occupants of the Audi were taken to hospital in non-life threatening condition.

No cause of the crash has been released but police have said street racing is a possible factor.

“We are aware of any potential links between street racing in that area, and we are trying to determine if this was linked to this fatal collision,” Peel Regional Police spokesperson Const. Moulika Sharma told reporters on Sunday.

Investigators have not said if there are any charges pending in relation to the crash. It’s the 26th fatal collision in Peel region this year, police said.

Street racers have been a target for Peel police, laying hundreds of charges in a crackdown on car rallies in both Mississauga and Brampton with an enforcement blitz in the summer leading to some 530 charges laid at Ridgeway Plaza in Mississauga.

The blitz has already led to more than 330 charges laid at Brampton’s Trinity Common mall under the Highway Traffic Act for offences like stunt driving and speeding, and other charges include trespassing, intoxication in a public place, dangerous operation of a vehicle and failing to comply with a police order.

Brampton has also updated its bylaws to better deal with large car rallies and what it calls “nuisance gatherings” after seeing an increase in car rallies in the city following a crackdown in neighbouring Vaughan.

The public nuisance section carries fines of $800 for a first offence, climbing to $1,000 for a second offence and $1,500 for every following infraction. Rallying and damage additions carry maximum fines of $2,000.

Residents can alert Peel police to street racing or car rallies by calling 905-453-3311. Anyone with information about the crash can also contact police or leave an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.