The alleged impaired driver accused of causing the Markham crash that killed York Regional Police Const. Travis Gillespie will remain in jail until at least next week when his bail hearing continues.
Haoju Zhou, 23, appeared before a justice of the peace in Newmarket court with a Mandarin interpreter for the start of his hearing, the details of which are covered by a publication ban. Watching the proceeding on Zoom were Gillespie’s brother and mother, who often seemed overcome by the disturbing details of the horrific Sept. 14 collision.
When their camera was off, their screen was filled with a photo of Gillespie’s YRP name tag.
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Gillespie, 38, was on his way to work when he was killed in the head-on crash. Police said a Porsche Cayenne SUV, driven by Zhou, and Gillespie’s white Honda Accord collided around 6 a.m. on Major Mackenzie Dr. E. near Warden Ave.
The officer was pronounced dead at the scene while Zhou was taken to hospital for minor injuries and then released.
Peel Regional Police Major Collision Unit, which took over investigation of the collision, charged Zhou with dangerous driving and impaired driving causing death. On Thursday, Crown attorney Sean Doyle told the court the driver faces an additional charge of having an over 80 blood alcohol level causing death.
Gillespie was a former Metrolinx/GO Transit special constable who had changed careers after 11 years to join YRP in late 2019. In a second blow to the GTA policing community, his death came just two days after the ambush shooting of Toronto Police Const. Andrew Hong in Mississauga.
Zhou’s bail hearing continues Oct. 6.
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