Toronto man charged in street race crash was on bail for kidnapping charges

Toronto police have arrested Akil Heywood, 42, in connection with a street race that led to a serious two-vehicle collision approximately two weeks ago. Heywood is accused of driving a Lamborghini involved in the incident, which occurred on July 17. He faces charges including two counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm, failing to remain at the scene of a collision, and stunt racing.

The collision involved a green Lamborghini SUV and a white Mercedes allegedly racing eastbound on Highway 2A near Meadowvale Road. Police state the Mercedes lost control, struck a Ford F-150 pickup truck, and then hit a tree. The Lamborghini reportedly fled the scene. The 15-year-old female driver of the Mercedes and her 24-year-old male passenger sustained life-threatening injuries. The occupants of the F-150, a 44-year-old man and an 11-month-old boy, suffered minor injuries.

Adding a significant layer to the case, court documents reveal Heywood was already facing serious charges and was out on bail at the time of the street-racing incident. In July 2023, he was arrested and charged with kidnapping, kidnapping for ransom, conspiracy to commit an indictable offense, forcible confinement, and extortion. These charges stem from the December 2022 kidnapping of Aiden Pleterski, a self-proclaimed "Crypto King."

Heywood had been released on a $10,000 surety bail with conditions, including a curfew. His trial for the kidnapping charges is scheduled for November. Pleterski himself was arrested in May 2024 on fraud and money laundering charges related to allegedly defrauding investors of millions. Heywood, who claims to be a victim of Pleterski's alleged fraud, is also part of a $30 million civil suit against him. Heywood remains in custody pending the street-racing investigation and is due back in court soon.