Ontario police say their “hearts are broken” after one of their officers died in a motorcycle crash on Highway 401 in Southern Ontario this week.
Northumberland Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers responded shortly after 5:30 p.m. on April 27 to reports of a single-vehicle collision involving a motorcycle on the highway near Cobourg.
Carrique said Malcolm was driving east on Highway 401 at the time of the crash and was on duty. He added that police have not ruled out the possibility of another vehicle being involved, but there is currently no evidence to support that.
The 33-year-old served his entire career with the Northumberland detachment, which is headquartered in Cobourg, 95 kilometres east of Toronto.
Carrique told reporters that Malcolm’s career goal was to be a police officer and he was a well respected member of the force.
“I will be forever grateful to him for his service. He has been taken far too soon under such tragic circumstances,” he said.
He described Malcolm as an “accomplished member” of the OPP’s Golden Helmets motorcycle team, which travels the province on 800-pound Harleys to perform at fairs, parades, and other events. The team is composed of 20 active-duty front-line officers who execute complex, synchronized riding patterns to entertain the crowds.
“While the circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation, this tragedy reminds us of the dangers our Members face every day while serving and protecting the citizens of Ontario,” he said. “We ask that everyone keep Sergeant Malcolm, his family, colleagues, and friends in your thoughts in the coming days.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford also expressed his sympathies.
Responding Officers Crash
Highway 401 was shut down in both directions between Cobourg and Port Hope after officers responding to the scene were involved in a crash with another vehicle that had stopped to “render assistance” to Malcolm, Carrique said. The officers in the secondary crash sustained “minor injuries.”Carrique did not disclose how many people were injured in the secondary crash but said everyone has been examined and released from hospital.
The eastbound lanes of the highway were reopened early on April 28 but the westbound lanes remained closed.
The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation by the OPP, in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service, according to a police press release. The OPP Traffic Management and Enforcement Team and the OPP Forensic Identification Services are also providing assistance.
Anyone with information or video footage of either crash is asked to contact the OPP, Carrique said, but added that police already “have a really good handle” on the second crash. He said the fatal collision is the force’s “primary focus.”
“We’re looking for any possible information or evidence that may help us to conclude the investigation,” Carrique said. “If anyone saw anything, we are encouraging them to contact us.”
