The Tuesday morning commute turned chaotic near Eglinton Avenue West and Kipling Avenue as a multi-vehicle collision involving a TTC bus left nine people injured, three with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
I arrived at the scene shortly after emergency services had cordoned off the area. The collision, which occurred around 9:30 a.m., involved a TTC bus, a delivery truck, and at least two other vehicles according to police reports.
“We responded to calls about a major collision and immediately dispatched multiple ambulances to the scene,” said Toronto Paramedic Services spokesperson Jamie Hofstetter. “Our teams worked quickly to assess and transport the injured to nearby hospitals.”
The impact was significant enough that firefighters had to extricate at least one person from a vehicle. The twisted metal and shattered glass scattered across the intersection painted a sobering picture of the crash’s force.
TTC spokesperson Stuart Green confirmed the bus was servicing route 32 Eglinton West when the incident occurred. “We’re fully cooperating with the police investigation and conducting our own internal review,” Green noted. “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this morning’s incident.”
Traffic in the area remained snarled for hours as police crash reconstruction specialists documented the scene. Constable Laura Brabant told me the investigation is still in its preliminary stages. “We’re asking any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward to help determine the sequence of events that led to this collision.”
Local business owner Rajesh Patel, whose convenience store sits near the intersection, described the moment of impact. “I heard this tremendous crash and ran outside. People were already rushing to help those in the vehicles. It’s a busy intersection, but I’ve never seen anything this serious here before.”
According to Toronto transportation data, the Eglinton-Kipling intersection has seen an increase in traffic volume since construction began on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT further east, with many drivers using alternative routes.
Weather conditions weren’t a factor in the collision, with clear skies and dry roads at the time of the incident. However, the morning sun position may have created visibility challenges for eastbound drivers.
For commuters like Amara Johnson, who was waiting at a nearby bus stop when the crash occurred, the scene was jarring. “Everyone just froze for a second, then people started running toward the vehicles to help. It’s scary to think how quickly things can change during your regular morning routine.”
The collision serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety in Toronto’s increasingly congested streets. With 47 traffic fatalities reported in the city last year according to Toronto Police Service data, incidents like these highlight ongoing concerns about traffic management.
The TTC has arranged alternative transportation for affected riders while service in the area remains disrupted. Commuters are advised to check the TTC website or use transit apps for the latest updates on route changes.
As investigators work to piece together what happened, many questions remain unanswered. Police expect to provide additional details once their investigation progresses further.
For residents in the area, like Michael Ortiz who lives in an apartment overlooking the intersection, the incident raises concerns about traffic safety. “I’ve seen plenty of near-misses here over the years. Maybe this will finally get the city to look at making some changes to improve safety.”
Toronto’s Vision Zero road safety plan, launched in 2016, aims to eliminate traffic fatalities, but progress has been slower than many advocates had hoped. This incident will likely fuel renewed calls for enhanced safety measures at busy intersections throughout the city.
As crews worked to clear the scene late Tuesday morning, the ripple effects of the collision continued to impact the surrounding community – a sobering reminder of how quickly ordinary days can turn extraordinary in Toronto’s busy streets.
