A woman is fighting for her life, and three young children are recovering from serious injuries after being struck by a vehicle on Wednesday evening in Etobicoke, Toronto. The incident occurred at approximately 6:10 p.m. at the intersection of Islington and Orrell avenues, just north of Dundas Street West, as the family was hit by the car.
The 76-year-old driver remained on the scene after the collision, and Toronto police stated she was not seriously injured. According to duty Inspector Scott Shutt, the family was crossing the street when they were hit, indicating the driver was making a right turn at the time. The police have since launched an investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
The injured victims—a 36-year-old woman and her three children aged four years, one year, and one month—were immediately transported to a nearby trauma center. While the woman suffered life-threatening injuries, the children were reported to have serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The police cordoned off the area to conduct their investigation, leading to road closures around the incident site. They are appealing to the public for any dashcam footage or additional information related to the event.
This event highlights growing concerns about pedestrian safety, particularly involving children and families. It’s not the first incident of its kind, and it’s sparking discussions on how to improve safety measures at busy intersections across the city.
According to the Toronto Police Service, there have been increasing calls for enhanced traffic laws and more substantial protection for pedestrians. The need for clearer signage, speed bumps, and possibly even altered traffic signals at intersections where families often cross is being discussed as measures to prevent future tragedies.
Car collisions with pedestrians can lead to severe consequences. With this incident underscoring the potential for life-threatening injuries, city officials and safety advocates are advocating for immediate action. They argue the city needs to reconsider its traffic management policies to prioritize pedestrian safety, especially near schools and parks where children frequently walk.
This sentiment resonates with many parents and residents of Etobicoke, who are calling for increased vigilance by both drivers and pedestrians at intersections. “We’ve got to be more careful out here,” said one local father. “I can’t believe this happened right here where kids play and walk to school.”
The recent event serves as yet another reminder of the pressing need to balance vehicular traffic with pedestrian safety. While investigations continue, the Etobicoke community is coming together to advocate for safer streets, hoping to prevent instances like this from occurring again.
Residents are also encouraged to share their experiences and concerns at local community meetings, where they can discuss potential improvements to traffic safety and express how they feel about current conditions.