July 4,2025
Maninder Grewal
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have charged two youths in connection with a series of rock-throwing incidents on highways in Markham last year that left two people critically injured.
Between September 20 and November 30, 2024, multiple reports were received by the OPP and York Regional Police about rocks being deliberately thrown at moving vehicles on highways.
In one incident, a rock struck a vehicle, causing the driver to lose consciousness and resulting in a serious crash that left two people with life-threatening injuries. Police released dashcam footage of the collision while appealing to the public for help identifying the suspects.
In another case, a rock shattered the windshield of a GO bus on Highway 48. Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported in that incident.
On July 2, two 18-year-old men from Markham and Richmond Hill were arrested in connection with the investigation. They each face charges of aggravated assault, two counts of mischief endangering life, and mischief causing property damage.
Although both are now 18, police are not releasing their names under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, as they were 17 when the incidents occurred.
The OPP also confirmed the pair had previously been charged by York Regional Police in connection with earlier rock-throwing incidents, including damage to homes and parked cars dating back to July 2024. Both individuals have been released and are scheduled to appear in court in Newmarket at a later date.
In a similar incident in B.C. a pregnant woman was seriously injured after a large rock crashed through the windshield of a Tesla she was traveling in on Nanaimo Street in Vancouver. The incident occurred near East 27th Avenue, and the woman, who was a passenger in the car, was struck by the rock. The incident happened in April 2025 and police had said they were investigating 28 incidents since Jan. 20 that appear politically motivated and in opposition to Musk’s affiliation with the U.S. government.