I’ve spent the morning piecing together details about yesterday’s tragic incident in Scarborough that has left our community shaken. A 99-year-old woman lost her life after being struck by a vehicle while crossing the street near Bellamy Road North and Brimorton Drive.
The collision occurred around 11 a.m. Thursday when, according to police reports, the elderly pedestrian was crossing Bellamy Road. The driver, a 31-year-old man in a northbound Toyota, struck her at the intersection. First responders rushed her to hospital with life-threatening injuries, but despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries.
“This is the kind of incident that hits home for many of us with elderly parents or grandparents,” said Constable Laura Brabant during this morning’s press briefing. “Our traffic services division is conducting a thorough investigation to determine exactly what happened.”
This marks Toronto’s 23rd pedestrian fatality this year, according to data from the Toronto Police Service. The troubling statistics reflect a persistent challenge in our city’s road safety efforts, particularly for our most vulnerable road users.
Local resident Maryam Khalid, who lives near the intersection, told me she frequently worries about crossing at that location. “The cars come around that corner too quickly sometimes. For older people who move more slowly, it can be terrifying.”
The intersection, located in a residential area with several seniors’ residences nearby, has long been identified by community advocates as needing additional safety measures. The Scarborough Senior Safety Coalition has previously petitioned the city for extended crossing times and improved visibility at several intersections in the area.
“When we lose someone at 99 years old in such a preventable way, we need to ask serious questions about how we’re designing our streets,” said urban safety advocate James Chen. “This shouldn’t happen in a city that claims to prioritize Vision Zero principles.”
The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators. Police haven’t indicated whether charges are being considered.
The city’s Vision Zero Road Safety Plan, launched in 2016, aims to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries. Despite infrastructure improvements including speed limit reductions, new crosswalks, and traffic calming measures, incidents like this demonstrate the ongoing challenges in protecting our most vulnerable road users.
Toronto’s aging population makes pedestrian safety increasingly crucial. According to city demographic data, nearly 17% of Scarborough residents are over 65, higher than the Toronto average.
The victim’s identity hasn’t been released pending notification of family members. For those who knew her, the loss is immeasurable – a long life cut short while simply crossing a street in her neighborhood.
Residents with information about the collision are asked to contact Toronto Police Traffic Services at 416-808-1900 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
As our city continues growing and changing, tragedies like this remind us that infrastructure decisions have real human consequences. For the family mourning their 99-year-old loved one today, statistics and safety plans offer little comfort – but perhaps they can fuel the changes needed to prevent another family from experiencing similar heartbreak.
