Van Crashes Into Pedestrians in Toronto; Driver in Custody

• April 23 2018
• Kristine Owram

Several people were injured when a white van slammed into pedestrians on a sidewalk in the north end of Toronto, sending numerous people to hospital and forcing a partial shutdown of subway service, police said.

Several people were injured when a white van slammed into pedestrians on a sidewalk in the north end of Toronto, sending numerous people to hospital and forcing a partial shutdown of subway service, police said.

Police spokeswoman Jenifferjit Sidhu said it was too early to confirm the number of pedestrians struck or their injuries, and police did not yet know the reason for the collision. Police say the driver was arrested and that as many as eight to 10 people were injured.

A witness told CTV News that he saw a white van with red signage driving southbound on Yonge Street mount the sidewalk. “Every single thing that came in his way he just drove right on it,” the witness identified as Alex Shaker said. “He just destroyed so many people’s lives.”

The incident occurred near the Yonge and Finch intersection in the north end of the city, about 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) north of the downtown core. Yonge Street is Toronto’s main north-south street, and the main subway line runs along that artery.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the House of Commons that he was just learning about the situation and would have more to say in coming hours. “Our hearts go out to anyone affected,” he said.

Toronto Mayor John Tory said he was on his way to the scene. “My thoughts are with those affected by this incident and the frontline responders,” he said in a statement.

The crash happened as Group of Seven foreign and security ministers gathered in downtown Toronto for meetings.

— With assistance by Josh Wingrove, and Danielle Bochove