A 32-year-old Mississauga, Ont., man has been charged with dangerous driving causing death in connection to a fatal five-vehicle crash on the Queen Elizabeth Way in Mississauga last month.
Police said the collision took place in the eastbound lanes of the QEW near Cawthra Road around 10 p.m. on Jan. 27.
“There was a multi-vehicle chain reaction collision that occurred as a result of what appeared to be a vehicle slowing down in front of traffic,” Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said.
Paramedics in Peel Region said two women were sent to hospital in critical condition. Police said five other people suffered minor injuries.
VIDEO: Families of QEW road rage crash victims ‘devastated’ by incident
One of the crash victims, 22-year-old Nicole Turcotte from Niagara Falls, Ont., succumbed to her injuries in hospital. Police said she was a passenger in one of the vehicles and that her boyfriend was at the wheel.
Police said the collision was “unnecessary and preventable.” Schmidt said tips from the public helped with the investigation and that no other suspects are being sought in relation to the incident.
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READ MORE: One person dead, another in critical condition after a multi-vehicle crash on QEW in Mississauga
A co-worker of the accused told Global News he was a passenger in the vehicle that slowed down, leading to the chain-reaction crash.
“The behind car was flashing the lights. So he was confused. He got reflection in his eyes. He just slow down the car,” Aliele Mier said outside the Port Credit OPP detachment following an interview with investigators.
VIDEO: Arrest made in last month’s QEW road rage fatality
“We’re extremely sorry about that. It’s not a pre-plan that we stopped the car.”
Mier said he and the driver tried to return to the scene but the highway was closed.
Police said Yasir Baig surrendered to authorities Wednesday night. He has been charged with dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, failing to stop at the scene of the a collision causing death and failing to stop at the scene of a collision causing bodily harm.
VIDEO: ‘It only takes a minute of stupidity to lose a life’
The accused made a court appearance in Brampton Thursday morning.
The victim’s cousin, Brandy Sommer Wood, told reporters on Thursday that Turcotte was a photography student at Humber College and her death has been a shock to her family.
“This is a tragedy that could have been avoided. Had somebody been more thoughtful and careful on the roads. It only takes one minute of stupidity to lose a life and for the other girl that is injured, she’s got a long road ahead of her to be able to walk right and live a life,” Sommer Wood said.
“I hope the full extent of the law will come down on him. I hope that they’ll be able to, in the future, people will see this as they drive. Remembering this could happen to them.”
VIDEO: Mississauga man arrested in QEW road rage death