A Markham man has been found guilty of impaired and dangerous driving causing the death of York Regional Police officer Travis Gillespie in a September 2022 crash.
Haoju Zhou, 26, collided head-on with Gillespie’s vehicle on Major Mackenzie Drive East while driving his Porsche Cayenne under the influence of alcohol. At the time, Zhou, a G2 driver, had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08, above the legal limit of zero for his license class.
The court found that Zhou fell asleep at the wheel and lost control of his SUV, despite his defence claiming he showed no classic signs of impairment while under police observation after the crash.
Gillespie, 38, was on his way to work when he was killed. His family, including his mother Lori, attended the verdict and expressed relief that justice was served, urging others not to drink and drive.
York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween praised the Peel Regional Police Major Collision Investigation Unit for their role in securing the conviction and highlighted the need for safer roads in Gillespie’s memory. Zhou is set to return to court in January for sentencing.