Today was the annual candlelight vigil to remember victims of road violence, organized by Friends and Families for Safe Streets. This year they chose to focus on Yonge St, between Finch and Mel Lastman Square to focus attention on the proposed reconfiguration of this section of Yonge to improve safety for both pedestrians and cyclists.

The group gathers at the northwest corner of Yonge and Finch.

Jess Spieker of FFSS being interviewed by the CBC.

Kasia Briegmann-Samson gets us started.

FFSS has combed through police records to highlight where pedestrians have been killed or severely injured on Yonge St between Finch and Sheppard, and we are led along the street, stopping occasionally to be told about specific incidents that have happened along our route. Before heading down Yonge, we are led half a block west to a spot where a pedestrian trying to cross five lanes of traffic was struck and severely injured.

We return to Yonge and Finch and are told above a few of the many collisions that have occurred at this very busy intersection. Councillors Fillion and Carroll are in attendance.

Now leading south on Yonge St.

As Jess recounts the results of collisions and resulting severe injuries, there is the constant noise of seven lanes of traffic in the background.

Crossing Yonge.

A family member recounts how a driver turning left from Park Home Avenue to northbound Yonge struck four pedestrians in the crosswalk who had the green light. One member of his family was killed, and two were severely injured. All seven charges against the driver were eventually dropped.

Here we are crossing on the spot where this collision occurred.

Pausing at Mel Lastman Square to talk about the importance of changing the street configuration to make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

Again, always traffic speeding by in the background.

One final stop near the centre of the square to sum things up, to urge the city to action, and to read off just some of the names of victims who have died from road violence.

Gone but never forgotten.

Thanks to Friends and Families for Safe Streets and to Cycle Toronto for organizing this event. Special thanks to Jess for leading and speaking. I asked if she was cold, and she said that righteous anger was keeping her plenty warm.

Update: CityNews coverage.