A family, who tragically lost three of their own in a fatal wrong-way crash on Highway 401 last year, has initiated legal action against the involved officers, the police board, and the estate of the suspect who also perished in the incident. Gokulnath Manivannan and Ashwitha Jawahar were the only survivors of the collision in April 2024 which claimed the lives of Manivannan’s parents and their three-month-old child. The lawsuit, seeking $25 million in damages, alleges negligence on the part of the defendants, including two officers, Durham Regional Police, Ontario Provincial Police, and the suspect’s estate.
The collision occurred on April 29, 2024, following a police pursuit stemming from an alleged liquor store robbery in Bowmanville, Ontario. The suspect led police on a wrong-way drive on Highway 401 in Whitby, resulting in the tragic crash involving multiple vehicles, as reported by Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit. The pursuit ended in fatalities, with the suspect also losing his life.
Sgt. Richard Flynn and Const. Brandon Hamilton from Durham police are facing criminal charges related to the collision. The family’s lawsuit asserts that the officers’ decision to chase the suspect driving the wrong way on the highway, without exploring alternatives, was reckless and led to death and injuries. The family accuses Durham police of inadequate training for officers in apprehension pursuits and failing to halt the pursuit.
The family’s legal representatives, Brad Moscato and Adam Wagman from Howie, Sacks & Henry LLP, emphasized the need for a comprehensive investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident. The family hopes this tragedy prompts a review of pursuit authorization protocols to prioritize public safety. The lawsuit, filed recently, awaits responses with its claims yet to be tested in court. Durham Regional Police refrained from commenting, citing an ongoing legal process.