On a sunny Wednesday afternoon, the tranquility of Richmond Hill, Ontario, was shattered by a tragedy that no parent or community should ever have to endure. At around 3 p.m. on September 10, 2025, an SUV crashed through the front window of the First Roots Early Education Academy, a daycare center located near Yonge Street and Nottingham Drive, just north of Toronto. The devastating incident claimed the life of a one-and-a-half-year-old boy and left six other children injured, one of whom remained in critical condition the following morning, as reported by The Canadian Press and corroborated by CBC News, the Associated Press, and The Independent.
Police quickly responded to the scene, arresting a man in his 70s who had been driving the full-size Hyundai electric vehicle involved in the crash. The driver was charged with one count of dangerous driving causing death and one count of dangerous driving causing bodily harm, according to York Regional Police. Authorities stated that, based on the initial investigation, the crash did not appear to be intentional. "We are still determining the sequence of events, however information right now has led us to determine that this was not a deliberate act," said Const. Kevin Nebrija during a press briefing near the scene, as quoted by CBC News.
The impact of the crash was immediate and harrowing. The vehicle, which had been in the daycare's parking lot, for reasons still unknown, suddenly accelerated through a front window during the busy afternoon pickup time. Inside, 96 children were present in more than one room, according to Const. Nebrija. The children who were struck ranged in age from one and a half to three years old. Three adult staff members were also hurt, though their injuries were described as non-life-threatening.
As the dust settled, emergency responders worked quickly to triage the injured and account for every child in the facility. All parents were notified, and police made sure that no one was left unaccounted for. The scene outside the daycare was chaotic, as described by officers and parents alike. Small blue and green chairs could be seen through the shattered window, while about a dozen police cruisers filled the parking lot. "As you can imagine, this was a very chaotic scene," Nebrija said. "We can appreciate that this was a very alarming call for parents to receive and to attend at the end of their day."
The heartbreak extended far beyond the walls of the daycare. Richmond Hill Mayor David West described the incident as "unimaginable" and "terribly shocking." In a statement reported by CBC News, he said, "We certainly are a strong and resilient community, but this is the kind of thing that really shakes us to the core. We need to come together at a time like this for sure. This is something that no community, no parent, certainly none of us wants ever to happen." The city extended its condolences to the family who lost a child and to all the families whose children were injured.
Parents arriving at the scene were met with confusion, fear, and grief. Ramin Esmaeili, a parent whose wife had an appointment at the center to sign up their children, told CBC News, "It's obviously very sad. We have children and also my wife was supposed to come here today. It's unbelievable." For many, the randomness of the event was especially hard to process. The crash occurred just before regular pickup, a time when parents expect to be reunited with their children, not to be confronted by tragedy.
The daycare, First Roots Early Education Academy, expressed its sorrow in a statement on Instagram: "We are heartbroken and deeply saddened by the tragic incident at our center. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family at this incredibly difficult time." The Ontario Education Minister, Paul Calandra, also weighed in, posting on X (formerly Twitter), "My thoughts are with the children, families, and staff impacted. Grateful to first responders for their swift action, and thinking of everyone affected during this very difficult time."
Police Chief Jim MacSween echoed these sentiments, writing on X, "My thoughts are with the children, employees and families impacted by this devastating incident. No family should have to deal with a tragedy like this." Authorities encouraged parents and anyone else affected by the crash to reach out to victim services for mental health support, recognizing the emotional toll such an event can take on an entire community.
Investigators from York Regional Police spent hours at the scene collecting evidence and piecing together the sequence of events. The full-size Hyundai electric vehicle was eventually pulled from the building and loaded onto a tow truck. Remarkably, it showed little visible damage aside from a dangling license plate, a detail noted by The Canadian Press. Roads in the area were closed late into Wednesday night as police continued their investigation, and they asked the public to avoid the area and expect significant delays.
The question of what caused the crash remains unanswered. Const. Nebrija told reporters, "Our investigators are on scene collecting the evidence, going through the sequence of events, to determine exactly how far into the building it [the vehicle] went." He emphasized that all possibilities were being considered, but stressed again that there was no indication the act was deliberate.
For the families impacted, the shock and grief will take time to heal. The loss of a young child is a wound that cuts deep, and the injuries—both physical and emotional—will linger long after the news crews have gone. The community of Richmond Hill, known for its resilience, now faces the difficult task of supporting those affected and finding ways to move forward after such an unexpected and senseless tragedy.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on the well-being of the children, families, and staff whose lives were forever changed in a matter of moments. The incident serves as a stark reminder that even the most ordinary days can be upended in the blink of an eye, leaving communities to pick up the pieces and support one another through the darkest of times.