Disturbing surveillance footage has emerged showing the moment a pedestrian was struck and left seriously injured in Toronto’s Leslieville neighborhood, igniting outrage across the city and intensifying calls for improved road safety measures.
The incident, captured on security cameras late Tuesday evening, shows a dark-colored vehicle traveling at high speed before violently striking the victim who was crossing at a marked intersection. In the harrowing footage, the driver briefly slows after impact but quickly accelerates away from the scene, leaving the injured pedestrian motionless on the pavement.
Toronto Police Service confirmed to CO24 News that the victim, whose identity has not been released, suffered multiple fractures and remains in hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
“The callousness displayed in this hit-and-run is absolutely appalling,” said Detective Constable Maria Horvath of Toronto’s Traffic Services division. “Leaving someone injured on the road is not only morally reprehensible but carries severe legal consequences.”
Local residents expressed shock but not surprise at the incident. Sarah Richardson, who lives near the intersection, told CO24 that speeding has been a persistent issue in the area. “We’ve been asking for traffic calming measures for years,” she said. “How many people need to be hurt before the city takes meaningful action?”
The Leslieville incident marks the fourth serious hit-and-run in Toronto this year, according to Canada News data, highlighting what road safety advocates describe as a troubling pattern of dangerous driving across the city.
Councillor Paula Fletcher, who represents the ward where the incident occurred, has pledged to expedite a planned road safety review for the area. “This shocking video should serve as a wake-up call,” Fletcher stated. “We need to implement Vision Zero strategies more aggressively throughout the city.”
Police are urging the public to come forward with any information about the vehicle, described as a dark sedan with front-end damage. Crime Stoppers has announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Road safety experts point to this incident as further evidence supporting the need for automated speed enforcement and redesigned intersections. “Infrastructure changes that physically slow vehicles are proven to reduce these kinds of collisions,” explained Daniela Wong, director of Safe Streets Toronto.
As the search for the driver continues, the incident has reignited debate about Toronto’s commitment to its Vision Zero road safety plan. With pedestrian injuries continuing to occur at alarming rates, will this latest shocking video finally prompt the comprehensive infrastructure changes needed to make Toronto’s streets safer for everyone?
