Family of Highway 401 Crash Victims Sues Durham Police for $25M
The survivors of a devastating wrong-way crash on Highway 401 that killed three family members have filed a $25-million lawsuit against Durham police, the officers involved, and the estate of the suspect who died in the collision.
Gokulnath Manivannan and his wife Ashwitha Jawahar were the only survivors of the April 2024 crash that claimed the lives of Manivannan’s parents and the couple’s three-month-old son. The family’s statement of claim accuses Durham Regional Police, two officers, the Ontario Provincial Police, and the suspect’s estate of negligence that led to the fatal outcome.
According to Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU), the pursuit began after a liquor store robbery in Bowmanville and ended in a fiery, multi-vehicle collision in Whitby, about 50 kilometres east of Toronto. The suspect, who was driving the wrong way on the 401, was also killed in the crash.
Two Durham police officers — Sgt. Richard Flynn and Const. Brandon Hamilton — now face criminal charges in connection with the incident. The lawsuit claims the officers acted “recklessly” by continuing a high-speed pursuit in the wrong direction and failing to consider safer alternatives.
The family alleges Durham police failed to train officers adequately on pursuit policies and neglected to call off the chase, violating public safety standards. No statements of defence have been filed yet, and none of the allegations have been proven in court.
Durham Regional Police confirmed awareness of the lawsuit but declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation and legal process.
The family’s lawyers, Brad Moscato and Adam Wagman of Howie, Sacks & Henry LLP, said they are working to ensure a full investigation:
“The family hopes this tragedy prompts a careful review of police pursuit protocols and reinforces that public safety must remain the top priority.”
The statement of claim adds that the survivors continue to suffer severe physical and psychological trauma, permanent injuries, and financial hardship from the loss of their loved ones.
