Two people critically injured when SUV crashes outside Barton Street church
Two people suffered life-threatening injuries early Sunday after a two-vehicle crash that ended on the steps of an east-end church.
Police say just before 2 a.m., a male and a female in a Chevrolet Trailblazer were westbound on Barton Street East in the area of Cope Street when it’s believed they clipped an eastbound Ford Flex with a lone male driver inside.
Police say the Trailblazer lost control and flipped, breaking through the iron gates at 1401 Barton, in front of St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church.
The driver of the Flex suffered minor injuries, police said. He was taken to hospital and later released.
The male and female in the Trailblazer were taken to hospital in critical condition.
“It was a terrible accident that happened,” said Ray Djurdevic, president of the church board at St. Nicholas. “We feel bad for the people who are injured and we pray they get better.”
Parishioners were turned away for the 10 a.m. service on Sunday as police had Barton closed off in both directions from Kenilworth to Tragina avenues It reopened nearly 12 hours later.
Three caretakers at the church stood behind the police line after the wreckage was towed away. They swept up dirt and picked up broken pieces of concrete planters that were taken out with the heavy black fence. Pieces of the mangled gates were stacked in a pile.
It’s not clear yet what it will cost to replace the gates, said Djurdevic. The church has insurance and it’s not a concern.
“It’s repairable,” Djurdevic said of the damage. “It’s the human injuries we are concerned about.”
Police continue to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Const. Wes Wilson of the collision reconstruction unit at 905546-4755. To do so anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-2228477.