A 21-year-old Toronto man charged with impaired driving causing death after a fatal two-vehicle crash in Richmond Hill on Sunday says he is sorry and that he’s not at fault.
The collision happened around 9:30 p.m. at Bayview Avenue and Woodriver Street between a Toyota Camry and a Chevrolet Cruze.
York Regional Police said a 21-year-old female passenger in the Cruze suffered critical injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver suffered serious injuries and was transported to hospital.
Friends and family identified the victim as Julia Baciu, a York University Glendon Campus student.
WATCH: Catherine McDonald speaks with man charged with impaired driving causing death after Richmond Hill crash
The driver of the Camry, who was identified by police as Toronto resident Seyed Yashar Tolouei, was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital with minor injuries. He was released on bail Monday afternoon.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t… it wasn’t even my fault. I’m sorry,” Tolouei told Global News when asked if he had a message for the victim’s family. He commented after leaving flowers at the collision scene.
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Tolouei was charged with impaired driving causing death, impaired driving causing bodily harm, dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing bodily harm and refusing to provide a breath sample.
He told Global News he was driving his girlfriend home after visiting a friend. Tolouei said the crash happened as he was driving south on Bayview Avenue when the other vehicle, travelling north, tried to turn west. He said he didn’t find out Baciu died until hours later.
Tolouei was asked about the allegations by investigators. He said he wasn’t impaired and didn’t want to provide a breath sample to officers.
“Because I have nothing to prove,” he said.
When asked about drinking and driving, Tolouei later said, “My mom is standing right there. She didn’t raise a fool.”
WATCH : Woman dead after 2-vehicle crash in Richmond Hill
“I believe… I believe the police and I believe whatever they come up with, I’ll deal with in court,” he said.
“I’m a straight-A student, my life was on track and I hurt somebody. I don’t—it wasn’t even my fault.”
Meanwhile, officers are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
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