Family of girl, 5, struck & killed by garbage truck speaks out

The father of a five-year-old girl struck and killed by a garbage truck visited a makeshift memorial at the scene of the crash on Friday and said he’s struggling to fully comprehend his terrible loss.

“I’m still in shock,” a soft-spoken Jacob Callaghan told reporters after he laid flowers at the corner of Cliffside and East Haven drives. “I still can’t completely believe this.”

He said his daughter Kayleigh, described as a “ray of sunshine” with curly red hair, would have loved the items placed at the corner in her honour, which included balloons, several stuffed animals and bouquets of flowers.

“I appreciate the neighbourhood and their support,” he said.

Kayleigh’s mother, who is pregnant and due in about a week, is “devastated, obviously,” Callaghan said.

“She’s just doing whatever she can to get through this.”

The child’s mother also visited the memorial site, but couldn’t speak with the media.

Kayleigh leaves behind two sisters, a brother and the new baby sibling expected soon.

Callaghan said he received a phone call Thursday afternoon telling him Kayleigh had been struck and killed. Unable to believe the news, he had to call his local police station to confirm his worst fear, “that I lost my daughter.”

Kayleigh’s grandmother, Carol Anne Rigby, also visited the memorial site on Friday and described her grandchild as “full of love.”

“It’s just amazing to me just how much a little life can touch so many people,” she said.

Neighbours told CityNews they had seen the city garbage truck travelling at what they said was an excessive speed before the crash. Local residents have complained about a lack of signage in the neighbourhood, west of Kingston Road and Midland Avenue, indicating it’s a school zone.

Grief counsellors have been made available to students at nearby Cliffside Public School.

Witnesses said the 64-year-old truck driver collapsed on the ground after discovering he’d hit and killed the child. Kayleigh was one of a group of four kids walking home after school around 4 p.m. Two other kids, ages six and 12, were hit and suffered non life-threatening injuries. The fourth child wasn’t hurt.

“If it was a mistake, then he’s going to have to live with it,” Callaghan said. “But if he could’ve prevented it then — he took my daughter away from me.”

No charges have been laid against the driver. On Friday, Const. Clint Stibbe said the driver was operating the truck from the passenger side and made a left turn.

Municipal officials, including Mayor Rob Ford, have said the city will work with Toronto police on the investigation.

With files from Shauna Hunt

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