

Codi Wilson, CP24.com





A driver who allegedly fled after hitting and seriously wounding a pedestrian in Swansea on Thursday morning has been taken into custody, Toronto police confirm.

Police say the 24-year-old driver of a dump truck was turning right from Bloor Street West to South Kingsway when he struck a female pedestrian who was crossing the street shortly before 8 a.m.

“The truck hit the pedestrian and dragged her for a short distance,” Sgt. Alex Crews told CP24 at the scene.

Crews said people on scene were yelling at the driver to stop and although the man did stop for a brief period of time, he later fled the scene.

One witness, as well as a TTC employee, followed the driver and tracked him down in the area of The Queensway and Parklawn Road.

Crews said the driver exited his vehicle and after a brief foot pursuit, he was found in a ravine nearby.

He is now in police custody, Crews added.

The victim, identified as a 36-year-old woman, has been taken to a trauma centre with what have been described as “very serious injuries.”

“There was some first aid on scene to assist the young lady and she has been transported to hospital with some fairly serious head and leg injuries,” Crews said.

“I know that people tending first aid applied a tourniquet on her leg to stop the bleeding. There may be some breaks to the leg.”

Crews said her injuries are believed to be “significant” but not life-threatening.

He said it is not clear if the pedestrian had the right-of-way at the time of the collision.

“I know our investigators will be looking into that information. We have interviewed numerous witnesses,” Crews said.

“We are still appealing to witnesses. Anybody that was in the area that hasn’t spoken to police, we are asking them to contact our investigators.”

He also asked anyone with relevant dash camera video to turn it over to police.

Investigators have not confirmed what charges the driver will be facing.

The area was shut down for the police investigation but has since reopened.