Police thank bystanders who chased down suspect in alleged hit-and-run, administered first aid to victim
Toronto Police are commending a group of bystanders who chased down the driver in an alleged hit-and-run Thursday morning.
A dump truck driver is accused of striking a pedestrian near the intersection of Bloor Street West and South Kingsway shortly before 8 a.m.
He was later arrested after fleeing his vehicle some 3.5 kilometres from the scene of the collision.
Investigators say a group of TTC employees and construction workers led them to the suspect.
"I can't tell you the last time I remember something like this taking place," said Sgt. Alex Crews of Toronto Police Traffic Services
Workers tracked down driver
Witnesses in the area tell police the pedestrian was dragged by the truck after being hit.
Police say a TTC crew working in the area then dropped what they were doing to assist.
"There was no thought, there was no second guessing," said Crews. "They saw somebody who needed help and they sprung into action."
While some of the TTC workers administered first aid to the victim, who suffered serious injuries, others hopped into their vehicles to chase down the truck as it left the scene.
They followed the dump truck to the area near Park Lawn Road and The Queensway, where they were able to box in the suspect on the road.
At that point, police say the suspect jumped out of the truck and ran away.
Construction workers join chase
The TTC workers followed, passing a group of construction workers in a parking lot.
The TTC employees told them what had happened, and the construction workers then joined in the chase.
The group followed the driver into a nearby ravine and called police.
Officers arrived shortly after and arrested the man, who was in the water at the bottom of the gully.
"It just shows you that, the citizens of Toronto, when called upon, they certainly step up to the plate," said Sgt. Crews.
Police say they plan to nominate the group for a community award for their efforts.
