York Regional Police are issuing a public safety reminder after a teenager died in a sledding incident in Vaughan this month. The accident highlights the serious dangers of being towed behind vehicles.
On February 12, at approximately 9:50 p.m., a teenage boy was riding on a sled being pulled by a pickup truck in the area of Sassafras Circle and Sugarforest Drive, near Highway 7 and Dufferin Street. According to Constable James Dickson, he sustained critical injuries in the incident. The boy was transported to a hospital, where he later died.
The driver of the pickup truck, a 17-year-old from Vaughan, has been charged with dangerous driving causing death, Constable Dickson confirmed.
Police have received several reports this winter of individuals being towed by vehicles, particularly following recent snowfalls, Dickson told The Vaughan Citizen and yorkregion.com.
No other injuries have been reported, Dickson added.
York Regional Police are urging anyone with information about the Vaughan fatality to contact the major collision investigation unit at 1-866-876-5423, extension 7704. Individuals can also contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or online at 1800222tips.com.
“York Regional Police reminds drivers that actions and decisions made while behind the wheel of a motor vehicle can have permanent and devastating consequences for you, your family and for others on the road,” police said in a statement. “Drivers participating in such activity could face charges such as dangerous operation and stunt driving, which could result in a 14-day vehicle impound and a 30-day license suspension for a first-time offence. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility.”
