A violent collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian Thursday evening has left a man in his 60s with serious injuries, according to Toronto police. The incident occurred shortly after 6 p.m. at the intersection of Dufferin Street and Lawrence Avenue West in North York, highlighting ongoing concerns about pedestrian safety in the city’s busy thoroughfares.
Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, where they found the victim suffering from significant trauma. Paramedics provided immediate medical attention before transporting him to a nearby trauma center. As of late Thursday night, medical professionals described his condition as serious but stable.
“The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators,” said Constable Sarah Davidson of the Toronto Police Traffic Services. “We’re examining all factors that may have contributed to this collision, including visibility conditions, traffic signal timing, and vehicle speed.”
This incident adds to troubling statistics regarding pedestrian collisions in Toronto. According to data from the CO24 News traffic safety database, North York has seen a 12% increase in vehicle-pedestrian incidents over the past year, with the Dufferin-Lawrence corridor identified as a particular hotspot.
City Councillor Maria Novak, who represents the area, expressed concern about the collision. “We’ve been pushing for enhanced safety measures at this intersection for months,” she told CO24. “This unfortunate incident underscores the urgent need for implementing the pedestrian safety improvements outlined in our Canada News Vision Zero initiative.”
Witnesses described a chaotic scene following the collision. Local resident Jamal Hassan, who was walking nearby when the incident occurred, recounted: “I heard the impact and then saw the man on the ground. Several people rushed to help before paramedics arrived. It was distressing to witness.”
The Traffic Services Division has cordoned off the intersection for several hours to conduct a thorough investigation, causing significant delays in the area. Officers collected statements from multiple witnesses and are reviewing footage from nearby traffic and security cameras.
This collision occurs amid growing debate in CO24 Politics circles about traffic calming measures and pedestrian safety infrastructure in Toronto’s busy suburban intersections. City data shows that older pedestrians are disproportionately affected in such incidents, accounting for nearly 40% of serious pedestrian injuries despite representing a smaller portion of the population.
As the investigation continues, authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the collision to contact Toronto Police Traffic Services. Meanwhile, area residents are renewing calls for immediate action on pedestrian safety improvements. The question remains: will it take more serious incidents like this one before comprehensive safety measures are implemented at high-risk intersections across the city?
