1 dead, 2 others injured in hit-and-run crash on eastbound Gardiner Expressway
Posted July 4, 2024 5:24 am.
Last Updated July 4, 2024 5:07 pm.
One woman is dead, and two others are injured, including a child, following a hit-and-run crash on the eastbound Gardiner Expressway early on Thursday morning.
The two-vehicle collision occurred in the eastbound lanes just after 2 a.m., approaching Strachan Avenue. Police say an Audi sedan was travelling at a high rate of speed when it struck a KIA sedan from behind.
Five people were inside the KIA, including a 40-year-old passenger who was rushed to hospital in critical condition. The woman has since died of her injuries.
Two other people were also taken to hospital – a 20-year-old woman who suffered life-altering injuries and a two-year-old child with minor injuries. Paramedics say the young girl was in a car seat at the time of the crash.
Police say the two other occupants were not injured.
Toronto paramedics initially told CityNews five people were taken to a hospital, including a man in his 40s.
Police say the driver of the Audi fled the scene on foot, and was seen by witnesses walking on the elevated portion of the Gardiner towards Spadina. He was arrested a short time later.
Vance Kong, 48, of Whitby, has been charged with impaired operation cause death, impaired operation cause bodily harm, dangerous operation cause death, dangerous operation cause bodily harm, fail to stop at accident scene cause death, and fail to stop at accident scene cause bodily harm.
Police believe the accused may have been picked up by a ride-share or taxi driver in the area of Lake Shore Boulevard and Spadina between 2:04 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. He is described as five feet six inches tall, 161 pounds, and was wearing a blue polo shirt, light-coloured shorts, and light-coloured shoes.
Investigators are looking to speak with anyone who may have picked up a passenger matching that description during that time period.
The area was closed to traffic but all lanes reopened just before 7 a.m.
