Toronto man charged with impaired driving after crash that left 1 dead, 2 injured

A 23-year-old Toronto man is in custody after a car he was driving slammed into a pole near a downtown intersection, leaving one person dead and two others injured, one critically.

The driver, Galeeb Abau-Jabeen, appeared in court Tuesday afternoon, wearing a grey sweat shirt and sweat pants. He was ordered not to communicate with the other passengers in the crash.

Several family members were at the College Park court house for his brief appearance.

He will be held in custody until his next court appearance on Dec. 1. 

'This crash was completely preventable'

Police told CBC Toronto that Abau-Jabeen was behind the wheel when the car went off the road near Bloor Street East and Parliament Street at about 10:15 p.m. Monday. He is charged with: 

• Impaired driving causing death.
• Impaired driving causing bodily harm.
• Dangerous driving causing death, bodily harm.
• Criminal negligence causing death, bodily harm.

Four people — all from Toronto — were in the car at the time of the crash and were rushed to hospital, Toronto paramedics said.

Police confirm a 25-year-old male is dead. He was sitting in the back seat at the time of the crash. A 20-year-old female is critically injured and "fighting for her life." She was also sitting in the back seat. Another 20-year-old female passenger has minor injuries. 

The car, a black four-door sedan, was heavily damaged in the crash.

Police said speed was a likely factor.

"The reality is this crash was completely preventable," said Toronto police Const. Clint Stibbe. "We've now got somebody's son who's not coming home and somebody's daughter who may not survive."

Sgt. Robert Lyon, spokesperson for Toronto police's 51 Division, said roads in the area that were closed have been reopened.