In a concerning incident that unfolded Thursday afternoon in North York, police are investigating after a school bus driver allegedly fled the scene following a collision with a moped rider. The crash occurred near the intersection of Driftwood Avenue and Jane Street shortly after 3:30 p.m., according to Toronto Police Service.
Witnesses report that the school bus, which was carrying students at the time, made contact with a moped operated by an adult rider before continuing on its route without stopping. The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries but required medical attention at a local hospital.
“Leaving the scene of a collision is a serious offense under the Highway Traffic Act,” said Traffic Services Inspector Maya Reynolds. “This is especially concerning when the vehicle involved is responsible for transporting children.”
The school bus was eventually located approximately two kilometers from the collision site. Authorities confirmed that all students aboard were safely delivered to their destinations before officers intercepted the vehicle. The driver, whose identity has not been released pending formal charges, is cooperating with investigators.
School transportation officials from the Toronto District School Board have launched their own internal review of the incident. “The safety of students and community members is our absolute priority,” said TDSB spokesperson Julian Chen. “We are fully cooperating with police and conducting our own thorough investigation into how protocols were apparently breached.”
Traffic camera footage from the area is being reviewed as part of the investigation. Police are also appealing to the public for additional witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage who may have been in the vicinity between 3:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
This incident raises critical questions about training and emergency protocols for school bus operators. Transportation safety advocates have pointed to similar incidents across Canada as evidence for the need for enhanced monitoring systems on school vehicles.
“While thankfully no children were injured, this situation could have ended much differently,” noted Toronto City Councillor Maria Vasquez, who chairs the Public Safety Committee. “We need to ensure our transportation providers maintain the highest standards of safety and accountability.”
As the investigation continues, the incident prompts a broader question: How can we ensure that those entrusted with our children’s safety are properly equipped to handle emergency situations, and what additional safeguards might prevent similar incidents in the future?
