Durham Police – Update – Male Injured in Autonomous Transit Bus Collision

Pete Fisher
3 years ago
• Categories: Police Blotter

Investigators have an update to the collision involving an Autonomous Vehicle in Whitby from December.

On Thursday, December 16, 2021, at approximately 3:50 p.m., members of Central West Division were called to a serious motor vehicle collision involving an Autonomous Vehicle in  Whitby. The vehicle was southbound on Watson Street West, south of Victoria Street West when it lost control, veered across the northbound lane and left the roadway striking a tree on the east side. The lone occupant of the vehicle, the safety attendant, was transported to a Toronto area trauma centre with life-threatening injuries.

The resulting investigation has found that the vehicle was being operated in manual mode prior to, and at the time the vehicle left the roadway.  Therefore, the hazard mitigation safety systems designed for the vehicle while in autonomous mode were disabled at the time of the collision.

The 23-year-old safety attendant of the Autonomous Vehicle has since been released from hospital and continues to recover from injuries sustained in the collision.  A full recovery is anticipated.

Members of the DRPS Collision Investigation Unit, continue to investigate this collision.

Anyone with information about this incident or witnessed this collision is asked to call D/Cst. Limb of the Traffic Services Branch at 905-579-1520 (toll free 1-888-579-1520) ext. 5226.

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.

 

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ORIGINAL MEDIA RELEASE SENT ON DECEMBER 17, 2021

Male Injured in Autonomous Transit Bus Collision in South Whitby

A 23-year-old male was injured after a collision involving an autonomous bus in Whitby on Thursday afternoon.

On Thursday, December 16, 2021, at approximately 3:50 p.m., members of West Division were dispatched to Victoria Street West and Watson Street West after a DRT autonomous bus left the roadway and struck a tree. The 23-year-old male safety attendant suffered critical injuries and was transported to a Toronto-area trauma centre. This was a single vehicle collision and the male safety attendant was the only person in the vehicle at the time. The Ministry of Labour were notified of this incident.

Members of the DRPS Collision Investigation Unit attended the scene to conduct an investigation. The roads in the area were closed for several hours while evidence was collected.

Anyone with information about this incident or witnessed this collision is asked to call D/Cst. Limb of the Traffic Services Branch at 905-579-1520 (toll free 1-888-579-1520) ext. 5226.

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.