Eight people ended up in hospital after a high-speed police chase in Toronto’s downtown core in the wee hours of Sunday culminated in the SUV being pursued colliding with an UberX car carrying passengers.
The accident is by no means the first Uber accident in Toronto, but it is an eye-catcher, due both to the number of victims involved and to the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The vehicle fleeing police a black Acura SUV was occupied by five teenagers ranging from 15 to 17 years of age, including the 16 year old driver; the Uber X vehicle had four occupants.
The UberX car, a silver Chevrolet Malibu, was travelling west on Wellington St. when it was struck by the black SUV.
Of those sent to hospital, three were seriously injured, according to police. Injuries included multiple fractured bones. One person who fled the scene was arrested shortly after the accident.
Uber spokesperson Susie Heath wrote in a statement forwarded to Insurance Business Canada: “In terms of insurance, every ride on the uberX platform in Canada is insured. We also have a well-established claims process – upon being notified, we work with our riders and partners on properly resolving any accident claim.”
“Our thoughts are with those injured in yesterday's accident. We are currently working to gather information and stand ready to assist law enforcement in their investigation in any way that we can.”
According to the company’s website, “In the event of an accident during an uberX trip, ridesharing partners are covered by commercial auto insurance in addition to any insurance coverage maintained by the driver-partner.”
