A court has sentenced Markham resident Haoju Zhou to six years in federal prison for a fatal impaired driving crash that claimed the life of off-duty York Regional Police constable Travis Gillespie.
Justice Mark Edwards also imposed a 10-year driving ban, effective immediately. Zhou, a Chinese national who was studying at York University at the time, may face deportation after completing his sentence.
The Crash
The collision occurred shortly after 6 a.m. on September 14, 2022, along Major Mackenzie Drive in Markham. Gillespie, 38, was driving to work at a police district headquarters in Richmond Hill when Zhou, heading east in his father’s Porsche Cayenne, crossed into oncoming traffic near the crest of a hill. The SUV struck Gillespie’s vehicle head-on, sending it spinning into a dump truck.
Gillespie died at the scene from blunt force injuries.
Court Findings
Following a judge-alone trial, Zhou was convicted of impaired driving causing death and dangerous driving causing death. His blood alcohol concentration measured 80 mg per 100 ml at the time of the crash. As a G2 licence holder in Ontario, he was legally required to maintain a zero blood alcohol level.
The judge described the incident as entirely preventable. Although Zhou had no prior criminal or driving record and limited experience behind the wheel, the court noted he knowingly chose to drive after drinking despite being warned not to do so. The maximum penalty for impaired driving causing death is life imprisonment.
Prosecutors had sought a seven-year term, while defence counsel argued for four years. After credit for 10 and a half months of pre-trial custody, Zhou has approximately four years and seven months remaining to serve.
Family Reaction
As Zhou was taken from the courtroom in custody, Gillespie’s relatives expressed relief at the outcome after years of legal proceedings. His partner also urged the public to avoid driving under the influence, emphasizing that the tragedy was avoidable.