Ont. man accused of impaired driving in deadly Muskoka crash denied bail

Robyn Tonello, 35, accused of impaired driving and crashing into oncoming car, killing two people, has been denied bail.

A Ramara Twp. man accused of driving drunk and crashing into an oncoming car, killing two people, has been denied bail.

Robyn Tonello, 35, was charged by provincial police on Jan. 12 with two counts of impaired driving causing death following an August 5, 2025, crash along Muskoka Road 169.

Tonello, seated in a wheelchair during the hearing, appeared by video in a Bracebridge, Ont., courtroom from jail at Central North Correctional Centre in Penetanguishe, seeking his release from custody.

According to court documents obtained by CTV News, Tonello is accused of impaired driving, causing the deaths of his 61-year-old passenger, Mark Whytock of Muskoka Lakes Twp., and Michael Sutcliffe, 50, of Gravenhurst.

According to police, the deadly crash happened near Narrows Road in Gravenhurst. It is believed Sutcliffe was driving his Subaru that night when he was hit by an oncoming car police say was driven by Tonello.

Sutcliffe, who was described by his family as a loving father, partner, uncle, brother, and son, died of his injuries despite efforts to save his life.

Investigators revealed Tonello was airlifted to Toronto with life-altering injuries, and Whytock died at the scene.

Tonello’s wife proposed herself as his surety during the bail hearing, pledging $6,500 to get him out of jail under strict conditions, including house arrest with a GPS ankle monitor. The justice of the peace, however, denied the bail plan and ordered Tonello back into custody.

According to court records obtained by CTV News, Tonello was charged in March 2024 with driving without insurance, with an open container of liquor, and with having cannabis readily available, along with possession of a drug. Those charges were withdrawn in early 2025.

He was then charged with assaulting a man and threatening a woman in separate incidents.

Tonello is scheduled to return to a virtual courtroom from jail next week. The allegations against him have not been tested in court.