The family of an infant and two grandparents who were killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby, Ont., are grieving their losses. The parents of the infant, Gokulnath Manivannan and Ashwitha Jawahar, released a statement expressing their devastation over the tragedy. They mourn the loss of their 3-month-old son, their father, and their mother. They are heartbroken knowing they will never be able to hold their child again and are struggling to cope with the vacuum in their hearts.
The incident occurred on the night of April 29 when Durham Regional Police officers were notified of a robbery at an LCBO in Clarington. Officers began following a U-Haul cargo van that was driving erratically through Durham Region. The vehicle entered Highway 401 in the wrong direction and caused a multi-vehicle collision just east of Highway 412 in Whitby. The crash resulted in the death of the infant, aged three months, the grandmother, aged 55, and the grandfather, aged 60. Manivannan and Jawahar, who were also in the car, were injured in the collision.
In the family statement, Manivannan revealed that his parents had recently arrived from Chennai, India, with the sole purpose of spending time with their grandson. His father, who had just retired, was looking forward to the year of “grandparents fun.” His mother was excited to make their stay all about her grandchild. The family had only two days together before the tragic incident took place.
Additionally, the 21-year-old man who was driving the U-Haul died at the scene, while a 38-year-old passenger was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The SIU is investigating the incident to determine the conduct of the officers involved. Manivannan expressed his struggle with the shock and loss of his parents and son, as well as his wife’s continued suffering from surgeries and trauma-related flashbacks.
The family is reeling from the devastating tragedy and struggling to come to terms with their losses. They are mourning the loss of their infant son, father, and mother, who were killed in the wrong-way crash on Highway 401. The incident occurred following a police chase involving a U-Haul cargo van that resulted in a multi-vehicle collision. The family had only two days together before the tragic incident, during which they were looking forward to spending quality time with their grandson.
As the investigation into the incident continues, the family is grappling with the shock and trauma of losing their loved ones. They are dealing with their injuries and surgeries while trying to cope with the immense pain of their losses. The community has come together to support the family during this difficult time as they navigate their grief and work towards healing from the tragic event.
