Two motorcyclists are recovering in hospital with serious life-altering injuries following two separate collisions in Oshawa and Whitby this week, prompting Durham Regional Police to renew calls for road safety awareness as the summer riding season gets underway.
The first crash happened Monday morning at the busy intersection of Park Road and King Street in west Oshawa. A Nissan SUV and a Triumph motorcycle were both stopped in the left through lane waiting for traffic when a Dodge Journey collided with both vehicles from behind. The impact pushed the vehicles forward, and the Dodge continued along the roadway, eventually crashing into the Harveys restaurant at the northeast corner of the intersection.
No pedestrians were injured in the collision. The 69-year-old male motorcyclist was transported to a Toronto trauma centre in critical condition with life-altering injuries. His condition has since been upgraded to stable. A 45-year-old man driving the Nissan and his two passengers, ages 15 and 7, were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.
The driver of the Dodge was not injured and was arrested at the scene without incident. Oshawa resident Timothy Eugene Wilson, 39, has been charged with dangerous operation causing bodily harm, driving while under suspension, and breach of probation. He was held for a bail hearing.
Police are asking anyone with cell phone footage, dash cam video, or surveillance footage of the Oshawa collision to contact D/Cst. Dalgetty of the Durham Regional Police Collision Investigation Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5217. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or online at durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca.
The second collision occurred just a few minutes after midnight on Wednesday morning at the intersection of Taunton Road and Thickson Road in Whitby. A 24-year-old motorcyclist travelling east on Taunton Road collided with a westbound Honda sedan that was turning left at the intersection.
The motorcyclist was taken to a Toronto trauma centre, where he remains in stable condition with serious life-altering injuries. The 21-year-old driver and two other occupants of the Honda were not injured in the crash.
The intersection was closed for several hours while investigators collected evidence from the scene. The investigation remains ongoing, and police are asking anyone with dash cam or surveillance footage of the Whitby collision to contact D/Cst. Tymcio of the Collision Investigation Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5256. Anonymous tips can also be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers.
Both collisions remain under active investigation by the Durham Regional Police Collision Investigation Unit. The two serious incidents occurring in a single week highlight the real dangers motorcyclists face on Durham Region roads, particularly at busy intersections where visibility and right-of-way can become critical factors.
Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users on the road, with far less physical protection than occupants of enclosed vehicles. Durham Regional Police urge all motorists to double-check blind spots, signal lane changes well in advance, and maintain safe following distances, particularly when motorcycles are nearby. Riders are also encouraged to wear high-visibility gear and ride defensively at all times.
