A 63-year-old woman and her two-year-old grandson are dead after their minivan was involved in a multi-vehicle accident on the Gardiner Expressway early Monday morning.
Police said the two victims were in a Dodge Caravan with three other family members heading east when they hit a disabled Nissan Quest just before 1 a.m. They were then rear-ended by a Ford van.
“People got out of the (Nissan Quest) and left its four-way flashers going. Subsequent to that, it was rear-ended by the second vehicle, which was then rear-ended by a third vehicle,” Sgt. Allan Finlay said.
The boy was rushed to the hospital but died hours later. His grandmother was pronounced dead at the scene. Three other people were in the minivan. They were taken to hospital and treated for minor injuries.
The Nissan Quest was parked in the center lane after losing a tire near Jameson Avenue, police said. The loose tire bounced over the guardrail into traffic, striking a motorcycle and two cars. No injuries were reported on the westbound side of the expressway.
Eastbound lanes on the Gardiner were reopened by 7:30 a.m. but police are still investigating the collision and are asking any witnesses to contact Traffic Services at 416-808-1900 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477.