Accident on Highway 401 close to Etobicoke leaves three minors dead, with reports indicating the driver was under the influence at the time.
Snappy Recap: Tragedy struck on Renforth Drive near Highway 401 in Toronto on May 18, 2025, as an impaired driver took the lives of three children and left a fourth clinging to life. Two adults, a man and woman in their 30s, also sustained serious injuries. Witnesses, or anyone with dash-cam footage, are being asked to reach out to the authorities. The incident has nostalgic parallels to the 2015 Vaughan crash and rekindles questions about impaired driving laws.
The Gory Details
The early hours of May 18, 2025, turned catastrophic on Renforth Drive near Highway 401 when an allegedly impaired driver collided with a vehicle carrying six occupants, resulting in the deaths of three young lives.
Toronto Police responded to the scene shortly after 12:30 a.m. finding a 19-year-old behind the wheel of a solo vehicle that had struck the stationary minivan, containing the young passengers[2][4].
Police later confirmed two of the children were pronounced dead at the scene, while another young soul passed away at the hospital. A fourth child was transported to a trauma centre in serious-but-stable condition[1][4].
The horrific incident didn't just affect the young victims. The driver and a motherly figure from the minivan were also hospitalized, reportedly in stable condition[3][4].
The 19-year-old driver was swiftly apprehended at the scene before being hit with charges regarding impaired driving[4]. Police have closed portions of Renforth Drive as they continue their investigation[4]. Acting Insp. Baheer Sarbanandan will be deliver an update regarding the collision at 9 a.m.[5]
This devastating event bears a chilling resemblance to the 2015 Vaughan crash, stirring controversy about the existing impaired driving laws in Canada[3].
Enrichment Data:
- Incident Details: The collision occurred shortly after midnight on May 18, 2025, at the eastbound off-ramp from Highway 401 to Renforth Drive. A Dodge Caravan driven by a 19-year-old was traveling at high speed when it lost control, crossed a raised median, and struck a stationary Chrysler Pacifica minivan stopped at a red light[2][4].
- Victims: Three children from the minivan were killed in the accident. Two teenagers (a 15-year-old and a 13-year-old) were pronounced dead at the scene, while a six-year-old girl was transported to the hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries[1][4].
- Survivors: The mother of the children and two adults (a male acquaintance and a 10-year-old child) were taken to the hospital and are reported to be in non-life-threatening condition[3][4].
- Charges: The driver of the Dodge Caravan, Ethan Lehouillie, is facing charges including three counts of impaired operation causing death[4].
- Investigation: Police are investigating the incident and have closed Renforth Drive eastbound while they gather evidence. They are asking witnesses or drivers with dash-cam footage to come forward[3][4].
- Impact: The incident has raised concerns about impaired driving, recalling past tragedies like the 2015 Vaughan crash, which led to stricter impaired driving laws in Canada[3].
- The media, focusing on general-news and crime-and-justice, have been extensively covering the investigation following a fatal collision on Renforth Drive near Highway 401 in Toronto on May 18, 2025.
- In light of the tragedy and its nostalgic parallels to the 2015 Vaughan crash, questions about the existing impaired driving laws in Canada are being raised in political and public discourse.
- News outlets are reporting on the latest updates in the investigation, including the charges against the 19-year-old driver and the ongoing collaboration between Toronto Police and witnesses who may have dash-cam footage or other relevant information.
