Article – The string of hit-and-runs that rattled Mississauga residents last weekend has resulted in charges against a man who shouldn’t have been behind the wheel in the first place. Peel Regional Police arrested a 38-year-old Toronto man who was already under a Canada-wide driving prohibition when he allegedly caused multiple collisions.
According to investigators, the chaos unfolded Saturday afternoon when officers responded to reports of a driver striking several vehicles near Hurontario Street and Eglinton Avenue. Witnesses described a scene of confusion as the suspect vehicle continued moving despite sustaining significant damage.
“It was like watching someone play a video game poorly,” said Mississauga resident Janet Kwan, who observed one of the collisions from a nearby coffee shop. “He just kept going after hitting the first car, even though his bumper was practically dragging on the ground.”
Police say the driver struck at least four vehicles before officers located and arrested him. Remarkably, no serious injuries were reported, though several people were treated for minor injuries at the scene.
The suspect faces multiple charges including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, failure to remain at the scene of an accident, and operation while prohibited. Court records reveal this isn’t his first brush with driving offenses – he has previous convictions for similar violations in both Ontario and British Columbia.
Traffic safety advocate Michael Torres with the Greater Toronto Safety Coalition called the incident “deeply troubling” but unfortunately not surprising. “We see this pattern repeatedly – individuals who disregard driving prohibitions and continue to pose dangers on our roads,” Torres explained.
Statistics from Transport Canada show that prohibited drivers involved in collisions are three times more likely to flee the scene compared to licensed drivers. In the GTA alone, police departments report approximately 420 cases annually involving prohibited drivers caught behind the wheel.
The case highlights ongoing challenges in enforcing driving prohibitions across provincial boundaries. While the Canadian Police Information Centre maintains records of prohibited drivers, enforcement typically requires a traffic stop or collision to identify violators.
Peel Regional Police Staff Sergeant Donna Whyte emphasized the seriousness of the charges. “Operating a vehicle while prohibited demonstrates a blatant disregard for public safety and the law,” she said. “We’re fortunate this situation didn’t result in tragedy.”
The accused appeared in Brampton court for a bail hearing on Sunday. The Crown opposed release, citing the risk to public safety and the likelihood of reoffending based on his history. The judge ordered him held in custody pending a formal bail hearing later this week.
For residents of the Hurontario-Eglinton area, the incident has raised concerns about road safety in a neighborhood already known for traffic challenges due to ongoing LRT construction.
“This intersection is already a nightmare with the construction,” local business owner Raj Patel told me when I visited the area on Monday. “Add in someone driving recklessly and it’s a recipe for disaster.”
City Councillor Carolyn Parrish has requested a safety assessment for the corridor, acknowledging that the construction zone creates additional visibility challenges and confusion for drivers.
Meanwhile, insurance experts warn that hit-and-run incidents add millions to insurance costs across the province each year. Insurance Bureau of Canada spokesperson Kelly Martin notes that these costs ultimately get passed on to all drivers through higher premiums.
The accused returns to court on Thursday, where he faces potential jail time if convicted. Under the Criminal Code, driving while prohibited carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment for repeat offenders.
As Mississauga continues growing and traffic densities increase, incidents like this underscore the importance of effective enforcement strategies for keeping prohibited drivers off the road before collisions occur, not after.
