An Ontario teen charged in a fatal hit-and-run is the same driver charged with dangerous driving after hitting a vehicle carrying Premier Doug Ford earlier this year, according to provincial police.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said the 18-year-old fled the scene of a fatal head-on collision, but was located a short time later and arrested.
The alleged driver, Jaiwin Kirubananthan, now faces charges of dangerous driving causing death, three counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm, failing to remain at an accident resulting in death, and public mischief.
His wife, Christina, said in the GoFundMe page that she and their three daughters were also injured in the collision.
“Andrew had a wicked sense of humour and a way of lighting up every room he walked into — the life of the party, the friend everyone wanted by their side, the one who could make you smile even on your worst day. His greatest wish was for his family to be safe, happy, and cared for, and he worked tirelessly to give our daughters the best life and future he possibly could,” she said.
She said that the children faced life-altering injuries as a result of the incident, while she has also been fighting breast cancer.
The fundraiser has raised more than $400,000 as of Aug. 13.
OPP said Kirubananthan is the same driver charged for hitting a police vehicle that Ford was travelling in on Highway 401 in January.
Police said that incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 8 in the City of Pickering.
They noted two occupants in the first vehicle, which Kirubananthan was driving, were taken to hospital with minor injuries. Both were treated and released.
OPP said no one in the second vehicle, which included Premier Ford, was injured.
Ford later told reporters that they had been “driving straight” when they “got hammered.”
”I’m okay. This head’s like limestone,” he said. “He hit us and then ended up on the other side of the highway. It was bad.”
He said he prayed the driver was okay.
Ford was on his way back from an announcement at Darlington Nuclear Generating Station at the time.
