An SUV plowed into a Richmond Hill, Ontario daycare, killing a 18-month-old boy and injuring 6 kids (1 critically) and 3 staff. The community reels from the devastating incident.
Daycares are supposed to be safe havens—places where parents drop off their little ones, trusting they’ll be cared for, laughed with, and kept out of harm’s way. But on a sunny Tuesday morning in Richmond Hill, Ontario, that trust was shattered. A sport utility vehicle (SUV) crashed into the front of Happy Beginnings Daycare, turning a routine morning of finger painting and snack time into a scene of chaos, grief, and fear. By day’s end, one 18-month-old boy was dead, six other children were in the hospital (one fighting for his life), and three staff members were injured. For this tight-knit Toronto suburb, the tragedy has left a wound that won’t heal anytime soon.
The Morning That Changed Everything: What Witnesses Saw
It was just after 9:15 a.m. when the crash happened—peak drop-off time, when the daycare’s parking lot was filled with parents hugging their kids goodbye. According to witnesses, the SUV, a black 2022 Ford Explorer, was traveling south on Yonge Street before veering off the road, jumping the curb, and slamming into the daycare’s front entrance. The impact was so forceful it shattered windows, crumpled the building’s brick facade, and sent debris flying into the play area where toddlers were gathered.
“I heard a screech, then a loud bang—like a truck hitting a wall,” said Lisa Martinez, a mother who’d just dropped off her 2-year-old daughter, Mia, 10 minutes earlier. “I turned around, and the daycare’s front was in pieces. Parents were screaming, running toward the building. I froze. I thought, ‘Is Mia okay?’ I didn’t breathe until a staff member carried her out, crying but unhurt.”
Another witness, John Patel, who owns a coffee shop next door, rushed to help. “I saw kids sitting on the floor inside, crying. Some had cuts on their faces; one little boy wasn’t moving. It was the worst thing I’ve ever seen,” he said, his voice trembling. “We tried to get as many kids out as possible before first responders arrived. No one should have to see that—especially not kids.”
Within minutes, Richmond Hill Police Service (RHPS), York Regional Paramedics, and Toronto’s pediatric trauma team were on the scene. Paramedics set up a triage area in the parking lot, while police blocked off Yonge Street to traffic. Social media lit up with posts from frantic parents—some asking for updates, others sharing prayers—with #RichmondHillDaycare and #PrayForTheKids trending across Ontario within an hour.
Victims Identified: A 18-Month-Old Boy Lost, Others Fighting to Heal
On Tuesday evening, RHPS confirmed the first victim: a 18-month-old boy named Lucas Chen, whose family had moved to Richmond Hill from Vancouver six months ago. In a statement, Lucas’s parents said, “Our little boy was full of joy—he loved chasing butterflies in the park and singing ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.’ We will never get to see him grow up, and our hearts are broken.” The family asked for privacy as they grieve.
Six other children—ages 1 to 4—remain in the hospital. One, a 3-year-old girl, is in critical condition at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), where she’s being treated for a traumatic brain injury. The other five have non-life-threatening injuries, including broken bones and lacerations, but doctors say they’ll need months of physical and emotional therapy. “These kids didn’t just get hurt—they experienced something no child should,” said Dr. Sarah Kim, a pediatric trauma specialist at SickKids. “Even the ones with minor injuries may have nightmares or fear going back to daycare. We’re not just treating their bodies; we’re treating their minds too.”
Three daycare staff members were also injured: a 28-year-old teacher with a broken arm, a 35-year-old assistant with a concussion, and a 42-year-old director who suffered cuts from flying glass. All three were released from the hospital on Wednesday but say they’re struggling to process what happened. “I keep replaying it in my head—how I grabbed two kids and ran,” said the director, who asked not to be named. “I’m glad I could help, but I can’t stop thinking about Lucas. He was always the first one to hug me in the morning.”
Investigation Underway: What Police Know (and Don’t Know) So Far
RHPS has launched a full investigation into the crash, focusing on three key questions: Was the crash accidental, or was it intentional? Did the driver have a medical emergency? And were there any mechanical issues with the SUV?
On Wednesday, police identified the driver as a 51-year-old Richmond Hill man named David Williams, who was not injured in the crash. He was taken into custody for questioning but has not been charged with any crimes yet. RHPS Chief Dave Barrie said in a press conference, “We’re looking at all possibilities. We’ve spoken to Mr. Williams, and we’re reviewing surveillance footage from the area. We’re also having the SUV inspected by a mechanical expert to rule out any issues with the vehicle.”
Police have not released a motive, but they’ve confirmed Williams does not have a criminal record and has no known connection to the daycare or any of the victims. “At this point, we don’t have any evidence to suggest this was an intentional act,” Barrie said. “But we’re not ruling anything out until we have all the facts.”
The investigation has also sparked conversations about daycare safety in Ontario. On Facebook, many parents are asking why the daycare didn’t have bollards (protective posts) in front of the building—a common safety measure to prevent vehicle crashes. The Ontario Ministry of Education, which regulates daycares, says bollards are “recommended but not required” under current rules. “That needs to change,” said Jennifer Lee, a mother of two and founder of a local parent advocacy group. “If bollards had been there, this might not have happened. Our kids deserve better protection.”
Community Rallies: Support Floods In for Grieving Families
In the wake of the tragedy, the Richmond Hill community has come together to support the victims and their families. A vigil was held at a local park on Wednesday night, with hundreds of people holding candles and laying flowers. Local businesses donated food to first responders and hospital staff, while a GoFundMe page set up for Lucas’s family raised over $200,000 in 24 hours.
Happy Beginnings Daycare, which has been operating in Richmond Hill for 15 years, released a statement saying it’s “devastated” by the incident. “Our staff are like family, and the kids are our heart,” the statement read. “We’re working with counselors to support our team and the families affected. We will reopen when it’s safe, but right now, our focus is on healing.”
For many in the community, the tragedy is a stark reminder of how fragile life is—especially for children. “You drop your kid off at daycare, and you never think it’ll be the last time you see them,” said Martinez, who attended the vigil. “Lucas’s family didn’t deserve this. None of these families did. But seeing everyone here tonight—holding hands, praying—it makes me proud to live in this community. We’ll get through this together.”
As the investigation continues, Richmond Hill waits for answers. But for Lucas’s family, and the families of the injured children, those answers won’t bring back what was lost. They’ll only have memories—of a little boy who loved butterflies, of a morning that should have been ordinary, and of a community that’s standing with them in their darkest hour.