Man, 26, charged in deadly multi-vehicle crash on Gardiner Expressway

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A 26-year-old man now faces charges stemming from a deadly multi-vehicle crash on a busy downtown highway earlier this month.

Toronto Police say the horrific collision occurred in the westbound lanes of the Gardiner Expressway, near Lower Jarvis St., just after 5:30 p.m. on July 8.

“Three vehicles caught fire following the collision,” police said in a statement released the next day. “One vehicle flipped onto its side against the barrier and was fully engulfed in flames.”

Videos posted on social media showed one car on its side with its undercarriage pushed up against the concrete barrier separating the westbound and eastbound lanes of the highway. Another car and a pickup truck were wedged up against the roof of the car on its side.

Two other damaged vehicles could be seen in the next lane over.

Video footage also captured some motorists using handheld fire extinguishers to try to put out the flames shooting up from the car on its side while others helped victims get away from the wreckage.

The driver of one of the vehicles – a 68-year-old man whose name has yet to be released – was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say four people were taken to hospital and treated for injuries that were not life-threatening.

And two people were also treated by paramedics at the scene.

A Caledon man turned himself into police and was arrested on Tuesday.

Andrew Leal is charged with one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and

four counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm.

Anyone with information regarding this crash is urged to call Traffic Services at 416-808-1900 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

cdoucette@postmedia.com

@sundoucette