Durham Regional Police say a 65-year-old man has died after a two-vehicle crash involving a wheelchair-accessible taxi in Ajax on Monday afternoon.
Officers responded to the collision near the intersection of Bayly Street East and Clayton Road shortly after 4:30 p.m., according to a police news release. The passenger, who was travelling in the wheelchair-accessible taxi, was critically injured and transported to a Toronto-area hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Police investigation under way
The Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) said the incident involved two vehicles. Investigators from the Traffic Services Branch are handling the file and have not released details on how the crash occurred. Police asked anyone who witnessed the collision or who has information to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
Detective Constable Kollaard of the Traffic Services Branch is listed as the investigator to contact at 905-579-1520 ext. 5267. Members of the public can also provide anonymous tips to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or via their online tip form, police said.
Local context and concerns
The collision occurred on Bayly Street East, a major east–west arterial that carries commuters and local traffic across Ajax. Collisions involving accessible taxis raise particular concerns about the safety of vulnerable road users, including passengers who require mobility assistance. While DRPS has not disclosed the identity of the deceased or the precise circumstances leading up to the crash, the death underscores the risk for people travelling in specialized transport vehicles when collisions occur.
For residents who rely on accessible transportation, the incident may prompt questions about vehicle safety standards, training for drivers handling securement and transfers, and emergency response protocols for passengers with mobility needs. Those questions, and any regulatory or service responses, will depend on findings from the traffic investigation and any follow-up by municipal transit or taxi-licensing authorities.
What officials have confirmed
- Time: Shortly after 4:30 p.m. on Monday
- Location: Bayly Street East and Clayton Road, Ajax
- Victim: 65-year-old male passenger in the wheelchair-accessible taxi
- Status: Transported to a Toronto-area hospital and later pronounced dead
- Investigation: Ongoing by DRPS Traffic Services; witnesses asked to contact Detective Constable Kollaard
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Incident type | Two-vehicle collision |
| Intersection | Bayly Street East & Clayton Road |
| Time (approx.) | Shortly after 4:30 p.m. |
| Victim | 65-year-old male, passenger in wheelchair-accessible taxi |
Traffic disruptions around that part of Bayly Street are common during late afternoon, and collisions in busy corridors can have ripple effects for local drivers and transit users. Police have not said whether charges are expected as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information or dash-cam footage that could assist investigators is asked to contact the DRPS Traffic Services Branch at 905-579-1520 ext. 5267. Anonymous information can be submitted to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
Further updates will be provided by Durham Regional Police as the investigation progresses.
