TRAFFIC: Man, woman killed in Eglinton Avenue crash
Police cite speed, alcohol as factors in six-vehicle crash
Fizza Rizvi and co-worker Rehan Tanvir were heading home from a barbecue at Bluffers Park when the Honda Accord they were passengers in crashed.
The car, police say, was travelling west on Eglinton Avenue at a high speed when it struck the centre median near the Don Valley Parkway, vaulted into the eastbound lanes and struck a Chevrolet Equinox SUV head-on around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 13.
The Honda then spun around, ejecting Rizvi, Tanvir and a 23-year-old man from the back seat.
"The vehicle then bounced back into the westbound lanes of Eglinton Avenue where it came to rest," Const. Mig Roberts said.
Rizvi, 18, and Tanvir, 20, died. The 23-year-old is fighting for his life in hospital.
Police suspect alcohol and speed were factors in the crash, which involved a total of six vehicles.
"This was 100 per cent preventable," said Roberts, of the traffic services unit.
"It is a tragic story. You have two bright young people who enjoy a barbecue and think that they're going to go home safely...but that's not the case."
A 19-year-old woman, who was in the Honda's front passenger seat, suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The driver, who police say has a G2 licence and faces four charges, received a sprained ankle.
The occupants of the other vehicles received minor injuries.
Police believe Rizvi, Tanvir and the Honda's third backseat passenger weren't buckled in.
"It's often the people in the rear that are not wearing their seat-belts," Roberts said. "I guess they figure they're not up close to anything that may happen in front of them, but they're certainly at risk to what's coming up behind them."
Police closed Eglinton between St. Dennis Drive and Bermondsey Road for several hours as they investigated the accident.
"It was a spectacular scene," Roberts said. "We have the big three of alcohol, speed and seat-belts. We want to remind people to be careful when they are driving to buckle up and if they drink, don't drive. Find an alternate means to get home."
Roberts said the collision comes during Road Safety Week "where we are targeting drivers who are not wearing their seat-belts, speeding and drinking among other offences."
Rehan Riaz, 21, has been charged with two counts of dangerous driving causing death and two counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm.
Anyone with information is asked to call the traffic services unit at 416-808-1900 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
