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Man, 19, charged with impaired driving in fatal Richmond Hill crash

A 19-year-old man has been charged with impaired driving offences after a crash in Richmond Hill, Ont. on Sunday night left another man dead and five injured.

York Regional Police say the man who died at the scene was a 44-year-old Richmond Hill resident. Two of the injured, a woman, 40, and a boy, 12, also of Richmond Hill, were seriously hurt.

The crash, which involved four vehicles, occurred on Yonge Street south of Jefferson Sideroad. Officers were called to the scene at about 9:30 p.m.

Police said the accused has been charged with impaired driving causing death, two counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm, criminal negligence causing death, and two counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm.

The accused suffered minor injuries in the crash, but has been released from hospital and is due to appear in a Newmarket courtroom Monday.

People who saw the crash provided first aid

Police said the crash caused a chain reaction, with a white Mercedes striking a grey Hyundai, a red Toyota Sienna van and a white Mazda.

Several people in the area who saw the crash rushed to provide first aid to those injured.

Jeremy Cohn/CBC
Jeremy Cohn/CBC

The man pronounced dead at the scene was driving the white Mazda, which contained the seriously injured woman and boy. Police have not said whether the three were related or not.

The three people who suffered minor injuries were the driver of the grey Hyundai and the driver and passenger of the white Mercedes. Two occupants in the red Toyota Sienna van were not injured.

Police said the accused in the crash was driving the white Mercedes.

Police chief says impaired driving 'unacceptable'

In a news release issued Monday, York Regional Police Chief Eric Jolliffe condemned impaired driving.

"This is a tragic loss for this family and our community as a result of impaired driving," Jolliffe said.

"This behavior is unacceptable and keeps happening despite our ongoing efforts. The message is clear: Don't drink or use drugs and drive.York Regional Police is committed to continuing our work in the fight against impaired driving. We are not giving up."

Engine of 1 vehicle found south of crash scene

The crash scattered debris, including car parts, over a large area. An engine was found about 100 metres south of the crash scene.

Jeremy Cohn/CBC
Jeremy Cohn/CBC

York police's major collision unit is continuing to investigate the crash.

Yonge Street was closed in all directions, from 19th Avenue and Jefferson Side Road, overnight to allow officers to investigate the crash but was reopened early Monday.

Anyone with relevant information is urged to call to contact York police's major collision investigation unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7704, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Jeremy Cohn/CBC
Jeremy Cohn/CBC