17-year-old girl dies in hospital after being struck by driver in Scarborough
A 17-year-old girl has died in hospital after she was struck by a driver in Scarborough on Tuesday, Toronto police say.
The collision happened in the area of Birchmount Road and Danforth Avenue. Emergency crews were called to the intersection for a report of a serious collision involving a pedestrian at 11:45 a.m.
When police arrived, they found a grey Dodge Caravan minivan and the girl.
Toronto paramedics said they took the teen in life-threatening condition in an emergency run to a trauma centre, where she died.
Police said the teen was a student at Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute, a high school down the street from where the incident occurred. The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) said she was in Grade 12.
The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene, police said.
Sgt. Orang Momeni, spokesperson for police's traffic services, said charges are pending. He said members of traffic services are continuing to investigate.
Teen was in crosswalk when struck, police say
According to Duty Insp. Michael Williams, the teen was in a crosswalk when she was struck.
Williams said police believe the driver of the minivan was southbound on Birchmount Road and making a left-hand turn to go east on Danforth Avenue when the teen was struck on the east side of Birchmount Road. The teen was headed from south to north. "What we believe so far we would love to confirm," Williams said.
"We do know that several people did stop and render aid to this young woman as well as try to stop traffic and protect her from other vehicles. If any of those people left before officers could speak with them, we would very much appreciate it if you could contact our traffic services," he added.
"It's very much appreciated when untrained citizens step up and play the role of hero."
Police have notified next of kin and family members are at the hospital speaking to investigators.
The driver was transported to hospital in shock and is in stable condition, Williams said. Williams said there is nothing to indicate that speed or alcohol were factors in the collision.
Police have also spoken to the principal of Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute about the girl's death, he added.
In a letter that was sent home to parents of students at the school, the TDSB said board social workers and psychology staff will be at the school on Wednesday to offer support and counselling.
Mohammed Mominul Haque, a local resident, said the girl who was killed was a neighbour of his. He described her as "very nice," "always laughing" and "always respectful" of older people. He said he came to the scene after he heard the news.
"We are very much shocked about this. She grew up in front of us. She is our neighbour. It's very sad. We want justice for her, please," he said.
He said he has a request to drivers: "You have to understand: your careless driving will take away another person's life and the whole family's dream. She was a dream for her mother."
Roads in the area were closed for hours as officers investigated but have since been reopened.
At that intersection, which Williams described as generally busy, Danforth Avenue has four lanes of traffic with a turning lane, with eastbound lanes separated from westbound lanes by an island. Birchmount also has four lanes of traffic.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has relevant cell phone, security or dashboard camera video, to call them at (416) 808-1900.
