A 38-year-old York Regional Police officer has died after being involved in a head-on crash in Markham while commuting to work Wednesday morning.
Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash involving a white Honda Accord and a Porsche Cayenne on Major Mackenzie Drive East, between Richard Person Drive and Warden Avenue, around 6 a.m.
Police said the elderly driver of the Accord was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was a YRP officer identified by police as Const. Travis Gillespie.
York Regional Police said Gillespie had been a sworn police officer since April 2020 and was assigned to patrol in Precinct #2.
The driver of the Porsche – a 23-year-old man from Markham – was transported to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
The cause of the collision is not yet known.
Speaking to reporters at the scene, Const. Maniwa Armstrong said no charges have yet been filed in connection with the collision.
“It is possible, but at this time no charges have been filed,” she said.
Debris could be seen strewn across the road on Major Mackenzie Drive on Wednesday morning and the force of the collision appeared to have separated the engine from the Honda.
Maniva said several witnesses called police immediately after the collision and were helpful, but urged anyone with additional information to contact investigators or call Crime Stoppers.
The YRP said it had handed over the investigation into the fatal collision to Peel Regional Police “to ensure that members of York Regional Police are not further traumatized by this incident”.
The situation, Maniwa said, has affected members of the police community as well as the community as a whole.
“This is devastating news for all members of our organization,” YRP chief Jim McSween said in a statement. “My deepest condolences go out to Travis’ family, friends and colleagues. Losing a member is never easy, and losing Travis so unexpectedly is very difficult.”
Gillespie is survived by his parents, relatives and colleagues, police said in a statement.
Prior to joining YRP, Gillespie worked as a special police officer for Metrolinx/Go Transit and volunteered at Community Living and Primal MMA Academy.
Bill Grodzinski, a retired Metrolinx chief special constable, called the loss “devastating” in a tweet. Metrolinx spokeswoman Ann Marie Aikins added that “Travis was so well loved and loved his job and helping people. He was family.
Speaking to reporters and appearing emotional at times, Maniwa called the loss “heartbreaking” and said it was a reminder that tragedy can strike at any time, in or out of uniform.
She paid tribute to Gillespie, saying he was hard-working and well-liked.
“He was well-liked by his colleagues, his colleagues, his supervisors. He was a hard worker,” she said. “He is a man who, at 38 years old, changed his career to serve and protect the members of his community.”
One person who knew Gillespie stopped by the scene of the collision Wednesday in disbelief and told CP24 “it’s a terrible loss.”
“This guy actually played in our baseball league, in our hockey league. I mean, it’s just horrible,” said the man, who identified himself as TJ.
Premier Doug Ford said in a tweet that he was “gutted” by the news of the death of a second officer in Ontario this week.
I am heartbroken by the news of the tragic death of another police officer in our province.
My thoughts are with the loved ones of Officer Travis Gillespie and the entire @YRP family as they mourn the loss of their beloved colleague.
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) September 14, 2022
“I am saddened by the news of the tragic death of another police officer in our province,” Ford wrote. “My thoughts are with the loved ones of Officer Travis Gillespie and the entire @YRP family as they mourn the loss of their beloved colleague.”
The incident marks the second death of a GTA officer this week after Toronto police. Andrew Hong was shot and killed in a shooting in Mississauga on Monday.
A minute’s silence was expected to be observed at Queen’s Park on Wednesday for both Hong and Gillespie.
The YRP said it will work with the York Regional Police Association to offer “any necessary support” to Const. The Gillespie Family.
“This tragic death and unexpected loss of Officer Travis Gillespie is felt by all of us. We have lost a dear friend and valued member of York Regional Police and the York Regional Police Association,” YRPA Vice President Mike Buchanan said in a statement.
He said the news is especially difficult as police are still grieving the loss of Const. Hong.
“Our police families are hurting and we all feel the pain and significant loss of these two fallen officers,” he said.
It is with great sadness that I share the tragic passing of @YRP Constable Travis Gillespie who was killed in a collision on his way to work today. He is survived by his parents, relatives and colleagues. This unexpected loss is devastating to all members of our organization. pic.twitter.com/JWa6UH5FUS
— Chief Jim McSween (@chiefmacsween) September 14, 2022
Add Comment