

Paul Johnston and Chris Kitching, cp24.com





Toronto police are searching for a minivan after an elementary school teacher was killed in a hit-and-run during Friday morning's commute.

The 35-year-old man, identified as Tomer Samson, was hit by a vehicle at Lansdowne Avenue and Davenport Road shortly before 6:45 a.m.

The driver took off after the crash, leaving the injured cyclist on the road, where he was struck by a second vehicle.

Samson was a Grade 2 teacher at Swansea Public School, located at 207 Windermere Ave., a spokesperson with the Toronto District School Board confirmed to CP24 Friday afternoon.

“This has been a sombre day for all of us at our school as we mourn this tragic loss of life,” Karen Ridley, principal of Swansea PS, said in released statement.

“We know that you will join with all of us in expressing our deepest condolences to grieving family and friends.”

Police traffic services Const. Clint Stibbe said officers are looking for the first vehicle, which is a red or burgundy minivan that has damage to its front end.

The minivan is believed to be a 1996 to 2000 Chrysler model, and it likely has damage to its left front bumper, fender, hood and headlight areas, police said.

Stibbe said the minivan was last seen travelling west on Davenport Road after the crash.

Stibbe said the northbound cyclist was on the east side of the intersection, crossing Davenport Road, when he was struck by the first vehicle.

After the initial collision, the victim was struck by an eastbound GMC van driven by a 63-year-old man.

The intersection is controlled by traffic signals, and police are looking into who had the right of way when the cyclist was hit.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-1900 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).

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