

Joshua Freeman, CP24.com





A 38-year-old woman has been pronounced dead and her sister has been taken to hospital after a vehicle mounted a sidewalk and struck a group of people downtown.

The collision happened at around 2:15 p.m. on Bremner Boulevard near Spadina Avenue.

Police said a Mercedes sport utility vehicle being driven by a 48-year-old woman was making a lane change as it proceeded westbound toward Spadina Avenue.

“The driver for whatever reason mounted the curb and proceeded across the sidewalk striking two pedestrians,” Const. High Smith told CP24.

Witnesses told CP24 the vehicle appeared to pick up speed just before it struck the women.

Images from the scene showed the vehicle on the sidewalk after going into a tented marketplace where the women were manning a booth.

The 38-year-old woman was struck directly and pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Her 35-year-old sister was taken to hospital with minor injuries. Police initially provided conflicting reports about the ages of the victims.

The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and was taken to hospital to be treated for shock.

Police said it is not yet clear why the vehicle went onto the sidewalk.

“We did have some stop and go traffic at the time. It was pretty heavy,” Smith said.

He added it was possible that the driver might have had a medical episode or applied the wrong pedal.

Smith said officers are speaking with witnesses to try and figure out exactly what happened.

Bremner Boulevard has been closed between Spadina Avenue and Navy Wharf Court as police investigate.

The fatal incident happened just a short distance from the Rogers Centre as a weekday baseball game was underway. Smith said the road closure is likely to remain in place as the game lets out.

“We’re looking at about four hours. It will go easily into the rush hour,” he said.

In a statement Tuesday evening, Toronto’s mayor sad he was “saddened” by news of the woman’s death.

“As mayor, I am committed to ensuring that all those who use our roads — pedestrians, cyclists and drivers — are safe,” John Tory said.

“We are working towards zero deaths and serious injuries and this tragic incident strengthens my resolve to get there.”

Tory called upon the provincial government to increase penalties for those responsible for traffic fatalities, and for Toronto police to ramp up enforcement of distracted and dangerous driving.”

“As a city, we will do more to prevent these tragedies and keep each other safe.”