Driver smashes into Dundas West photo studio, causing gas leak and road closure
Residents were evacuated and part of Dundas Street West was closed Saturday morning after a driver crashed into a photography studio and caused a gas leak.
The studio, Pimentel Photography, is owned by Canadian celebrity photographer George Pimentel.
The driver got out of the car and ran away after smashing into the storefront and hitting a gas pipe, said Staff Sgt. Sharon Davis.
However, onlookers chased him down before police arrived on scene, she said.
Davis said the driver has been charged with dangerous driving, failure to stop at the scene of accident, and driving while prohibited.
Road closed Saturday morning
Dundas Street West was closed between Brock Avenue and Lansdowne Avenue and residents living above nearby storefronts were temporarily evacuated.
Dundas Street was closed in both directions for the investigation but has since reopened.
Enbridge, Toronto Hydro and Toronto Fire are at the scene.
The incident occurred around 2 a.m. Saturday morning, said Davis.
Davis said witnesses at the scene alleged that a man was driving erratically on Margueretta Street and may have hit pedestrians before losing control, but she said no pedestrians have come forward.
She said the photography studio sustained "serious damage."
