Man Charged With Impaired Driving After Van Pins Victim Against Wall At Bridlewood Mall

It’s the scourge of police and motorists anytime of year. But it’s especially tragic when it happens around Christmas. Toronto Police Traffic Services now say they believe a man who crashed into a Zeller’s store at the Bridlewood Mall near Warden and Finch Wednesday may have been impaired.

The accident took place at the front of the store around 2pm, when a white minivan (top left) suddenly zoomed out of control and headed straight for the busy discount outlet at speeds estimated at 40-50 kilometres an hour. It doesn’t appear he ever hit the brakes.

When it came to a sudden stop, the van pinned a shopper against the wall, leaving the man with life threatening injuries at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre’s Trauma Unit.

The driver, a man thought to be in his 50s, also suffered serious injuries and is being treated at the same facility. He’s been arrested and will be charged with impaired driving.

Witnesses watched in shock as the car raced toward the entrance. “They just bounced him off the hood and then up against the windshield and then against the wall,” a shopper named Russell recounts. “I just hope he lives, you know. He’s bad.”

As terrible as the accident was, it could have been worse. The van slammed into a wall, smashing a huge hole in the brick facade, breaking some glass and just missing the front entrance doors by inches. That’s where cashiers and customers were dealing with purchases on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

Many are breathing sighs of relief that their loved ones weren’t hurt when the vehicle came roaring to a halt. “My mom could have been dead right now,” Jamal Donaldson shudders. “You never know, you know? It’s just cause she jumped out of the way – that’s the only reason why she survived. You see the damage. It’s crazy.”

Police are outraged that the man was allegedly driving drunk, noting his apparent actions have forever changed Christmas for the victim and his family. Doctors are still working to save the bystander’s life. 

“The driver has been arrested for impaired driving,” confirms P.C. Mig Roberts. “We’ve been spreading this message for over three decades now that if you drink, don’t drive. Yet again, some people ignore it.”

More charges are possible.

Part of the store was closed for the investigation but it reopened to allow the last few hours of shopping to proceed as scheduled. The front doors remained off limits, pending an inspection by engineers to insure the walls were still structurally sound. The rest of the mall wasn’t affected.