A 70-year-old man has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving charges after an SUV crashed into a Richmond Hill daycare last year, killing a toddler and injuring several children and staff members.

By Staff Writer

Vinay Kumar Gupta entered the guilty plea Monday, June 22, in a Newmarket court. He pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous operation causing death and two counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

The crash happened on Sept. 10, 2025, at First Roots Early Education Academy in Richmond Hill, near Yonge Street and Nottingham Drive.

According to an agreed statement of facts read in court, Gupta had arrived at the daycare parking lot with his wife shortly before 3 p.m. to pick up his two grandchildren. While attempting to park, the SUV continued over a raised concrete sidewalk and through an exterior window of the daycare.

Court heard the vehicle travelled through multiple classrooms before coming to a stop. A toddler, who was about 18 months old, died. Other children and staff members were also injured.

The agreed statement of facts said there was no evidence the brakes were applied. Gupta told police he believed he was pressing the brake pedal and that the vehicle was not stopping, but the statement said he was pressing the accelerator.

A collision reconstruction report found the crash was caused by operator error.

York Regional Police said after the crash that investigators did not believe the incident was deliberate.

Gupta had been arrested at the scene and later released on bail. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Dec. 8.

The fatal crash deeply affected families, daycare staff and the wider Richmond Hill community. It also raised renewed questions about how buildings used by young children are protected from parking lots and vehicle traffic.