Ontario | Police officer dies in road accident

(Toronto) A York Regional Police officer, a suburb of Toronto, died in a collision that occurred early Wednesday morning in Markham, while on his way to work.

Posted at 2:27 p.m.

Maan Alhmidi
The Canadian Press

York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween confirmed on Wednesday that Constable Travis Gillespie, 38, was killed in the traffic crash. In a statement, Mr. MacSween spoke of “devastating” news for the entire organization.

York Regional Police said officers responded to a call for a collision involving a Honda Accord and a Porsche Cayenne at 6 a.m. Wednesday morning. Police say Constable Gillespie was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 23-year-old man from Markham, who was driving the other car involved in the collision, was taken to hospital.

York Regional Police say the investigation has been handed over to Peel Regional Police, to avoid further upsetting their officers.

Travis Gillespie was sworn in on April 29, 2020. Before joining this police force, he worked as a special constable for Metrolinx and GO Transit public transit services.

The York Regional Police Association, which represents more than 2,400 police officers, said the news of Constable Gillespie’s unexpected death was heartbreaking for all of its members. In a message shared on Twitter, the association offered its condolences to all the relatives and colleagues of the police officer.


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