Driver injured as more rocks tossed at vehicles in Markham area
York cops and OPP are investigating as many as 11 such dangerous incidents
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Two more motorists have reported rocks being tossed at their vehicles – the latest in a string of potentially deadly such incidents in or near Markham.
York Regional Police say the latest two incidents occurred in the middle of the night about 30 minutes apart on Oct. 19.
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In the first of the two most recent incidents, a vehicle was driving east on 16th Ave. near Mingay Ave. – west of Markham Rd. – when it was “struck by a large rock” around 1 a.m.
“The driver told police it came from a vehicle that was travelling in the opposite direction,” Const. Lisa Moskaluk said.
The second incident, which was even more frightening, unfolded half an hour later and about 14 km northwest of the first one.
“Around 1:30 a.m., in the area of Stouffville and McCowan Rds., a driver called to report that someone had thrown a rock at his windshield, striking him in the face,” Moskaluk said. “The driver suffered minor injuries and was treated by paramedics at the scene.”
Photos released by police show a large hole in the lower corner of the car’s windshield on the driver’s side and a fist-sized rock on the floor in front of the driver’s seat.
“Investigators are appealing to the public for help identifying the suspects and vehicles involved,” she added.
Moskaluk said York cops are liaising with the Ontario Provincial Police, who are investigating several similar incidents that have occurred since Sept. 20 in the area of Hwy. 48 and Major Mackenzie Dr.
It’s believed the OPP are looking into at least nine previous rock-throwing incidents.
In one of those incidents, a rock was tossed from a passing vehicle causing a two-vehicle collision around 11:40 p.m. on Sept. 20. The driver and an occupant of one vehicle were critically injured – one victim is now reportedly expected to recover but the other remained in critical condition as of last weekend.
Barely an hour before that incident, two other motorists suffered minor injures when rocks struck their windshields on Hwy. 48 near Elgin Mills Rd. E.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7541, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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