In a chaotic scene that unfolded in Toronto’s west end Sunday evening, a driver fled on foot after causing a devastating four-vehicle collision that sent five people to hospital, including one with life-threatening injuries. The crash, which occurred near the intersection of Kipling Avenue and Rexdale Boulevard around 6:30 p.m., has sparked an intensive police manhunt for the suspect who abandoned their responsibilities in the aftermath of the serious collision.
Witnesses described a scene of destruction as emergency crews arrived to find multiple vehicles with severe damage scattered across the intersection. Toronto Paramedic Services quickly transported four people to local hospitals with varying degrees of injuries, while a fifth victim was rushed to a trauma center with injuries described by authorities as life-threatening.
“The force of the impact was unlike anything I’ve ever seen,” said Michael Pereira, who was waiting at a nearby bus stop when the collision occurred. “There was debris everywhere, and people were rushing to help those trapped in their vehicles before emergency services arrived.”
Toronto Police Service spokesperson Constable Laura Brabant confirmed that investigators are actively pursuing the driver who fled. “We’re reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras to identify the suspect,” Brabant stated. “Leaving the scene of an accident, particularly one with serious injuries, is not only morally reprehensible but carries severe legal consequences.”
The collision caused significant traffic disruptions as police closed the intersection for several hours to conduct their investigation. Forensic officers meticulously documented the crash site, collecting evidence that could help identify the driver responsible for the carnage.
This incident follows a concerning trend of hit-and-run collisions in the Greater Toronto Area, with police data showing a 12 percent increase in such incidents over the past year. Traffic safety advocates have called for stronger penalties for drivers who flee accident scenes and more comprehensive road safety measures in high-risk corridors.
City Councillor Michael Thompson, who chairs Toronto’s infrastructure committee, expressed dismay at the incident. “We’ve been working to implement additional safety measures at our major intersections, but this kind of reckless behavior undermines all our efforts,” he said. “My thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.”
Toronto Police are urging anyone with information about the collision or the identity of the driver to come forward. Anonymous tips can be provided through Crime Stoppers, and police are particularly interested in speaking with anyone who may have dashcam footage from the area at the time of the crash.
As investigators work to piece together the sequence of events that led to this serious collision, the incident raises important questions about road safety in one of Toronto’s busiest corridors. Will this latest hit-and-run prompt city officials to reconsider traffic flow and enforcement measures at this notorious intersection, or are we witnessing the unfortunate consequences of individual choices that no amount of infrastructure planning can prevent?
