UPDATE, July 19:
York Regional Police have confirmed a motorcyclist was pronounced deceased in hospital following a collision with an SUV on Leslie near Gorham streets last night in Newmarket.
The 31-year-old male rider of the motorcycle died in the collision that occurred at about 5:40 p.m., police said in a news release.
The driver of the SUV was transported to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, police added.
Investigators are appealing to any witnesses who have not yet spoken with police, and to anyone who may have dashcam footage of the area around the time of the collision, to come forward.
Information can be provided to the major collision investigation unit by calling 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7704. Anyone wanting to provide information anonymously can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or provide a tip online at www.1800222tips.com.
Video can be uploaded through this link: https://yrp.ca.evidence.
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A serious two-vehicle collision involving a motorcycle closed lanes for much of the evening on Leslie Street in Newmarket.
York Regional Police were called to the incident at about 6:10 p.m. on Leslie Street between Gorham Street and Crowder Boulevard.
A motorcycle and a red SUV collided. The motorcycle received major damage, while the SUV had its airbags deployed and windows shattered. It landed in a ditch not far from the motorcycle.
Shami Shah was driving his blue Buick northbound on Leslie just after the accident occurred. He stopped and rushed out of his car to help the motorcyclist, who appeared to have been seriously injured.
“I was right there, I pulled over, jumped out, I was on the phone with 911 while I was trying to help the guy,” said Shah.
He said another person came to help move the motorcycle off the man. Shah had a blanket in his car and used it to cover him.
“I had carpal tunnel vision, I didn’t see anything but me dealing with this guy,” said Shah. “I had to stop traffic because idiot people were trying to pass us. They’re trying to pass us on this one lane. I was yelling and cussing at people to stop.”
Central York Fire Services and York Region Paramedic Services also responded to the call. Five cruisers, including unmarked police vehicles, were at the scene. Investigators arrived shortly after.
The southbound and northbound lanes of Leslie Street were closed as drivers had to make their way around the scene. Shah said the motorcycle was driving southbound when the driver of the SUV came out of the plaza and did not see the motorcyclist.
“The guy T-boned the motorcycle at a good rate of speed because he tried to rip out of the plaza to beat the traffic and head north,” said Shah. “He was turning left. He tried to rip out when all the cars were coming.”
He said the impact was so severe that the airbags went off, pushing the vehicle in the ditch. The vehicles leaked fuel. Police taped off a sidewalk to keep pedestrians away from the vehicles.
“The gas was leaking on the guy and there was a spark,” said Shah. “That could have been worse.”
Further details will be provided when available.
