TORONTO - A shocking incident unfolded on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, when a vehicle struck several pedestrians on the downtown campus of Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), raising concerns about safety and intentionality. The crash, which occurred shortly before 2 p.m. on Nelson Mandela Walk—a pedestrian walkway connecting Gould Street and Gerrard Street—resulted in injuries to four individuals, two of whom required hospitalization.
According to Toronto police, the driver of the vehicle may have been targeting a specific individual on the walkway. Duty Insp. Todd Jocko stated, "We're still working to confirm all of those details, however, at this stage it appears to be an isolated incident," suggesting that the relationship between the driver and the targeted person might be known but remains unclear.
The vehicle involved was described as a green sedan with a smashed windshield, bearing the license plate DEDZ-565. After the incident, the suspect vehicle was last seen traveling eastbound on Gould Street toward Church Street. Witnesses reported that the car entered the walkway from Gerrard Street, where no physical barriers had previously prevented vehicles from accessing the area. In response to the incident, two large planters were placed at that location to deter future occurrences.
Among those injured, the two hospitalized individuals were bystanders, as confirmed by police. The other two pedestrians involved sustained minor injuries. A program administrator at TMU, Jama Bin-Edward, recounted the terrifying moment, saying she heard screaming before witnessing the car racing down the walkway. "And then three seconds later, I was like, 'Oh my God, oh my God,'" she recalled. Bin-Edward described the chaos as people scrambled for safety, with some losing shoes in the process.
Isaac Meng, an international student at TMU, also witnessed the aftermath. He described hearing the revving of the car and shouts from pedestrians. Upon exiting, he saw an individual lying near a bench, seemingly unresponsive. "It was pretty crazy," Meng said. "I always think that this type of event always happens in (something) like the movies or a documentary, but they really happened on campus."
In the wake of the incident, part of the walkway was cordoned off with yellow police tape, and a safety alert was issued by the university advising people to avoid the area. Fortunately, the university confirmed that there was no impact on classes or exams, and employees were encouraged to continue working as usual. The university expressed its concern for those affected, stating, "Our thoughts are with those who have been injured and impacted by this incident," and reminded community members of the available support services.
City Coun. Chris Moise, who represents the area, expressed his relief that no fatalities occurred, recalling the tragic 2018 van attack in north Toronto that resulted in multiple deaths. "This is why it was so important for me to come here, you know, and show my support to the student population and to the staff who are here," he remarked during a visit to the scene.
As the investigation continues, police are working diligently to gather more information about the driver and the circumstances leading up to the crash. The incident has sparked discussions about pedestrian safety on university campuses, with many calling for increased measures to protect students and visitors alike.
This incident highlights the importance of vigilance in urban environments, especially in areas frequented by pedestrians. With the ongoing investigation, the community remains on alert, hoping for swift justice and enhanced safety measures to prevent such events from occurring in the future.
As the investigation unfolds, the university community is left to grapple with the shock of the event, while officials work to ensure that safety protocols are reviewed and strengthened to protect the lives of students and staff.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on April 15, 2025.
