By CHRIS DOUCETTE, TORONTO SUN
A 35-year-old man is clinging to life after being hit by a streetcar early Sunday morning, the latest in a deadly wave of collisions involving pedestrians on GTA roads in the last two weeks.
In spite of all the safety warnings issued by Toronto Police — as well as several regional forces — the latest victim was allegedly jay-walking when he was struck on Queen St. E. shortly after midnight.
"He literally walked right out in front of the streetcar," Sgt. Burrows, of Traffic Services, said Saturday.
He said the man, whose name was not immediately released, was attempting to cross Queen "mid-block" when he was hit by the streetcar, just west of Broadview Ave.
And even more troubling, he was allegedly talking on his cell phone at the time, which is something police have also been warning citizens about.
"That's exactly why he walked in front of the streetcar," Burrows said, explaining how the man could have been oblivious to the TTC vehicle barreling toward him.
The victim was rushed to hospital with life-threatening head injuries.
"He remains in critical condition," Burrows said.
The accident happened just a few blocks from where Chen Chung Shao was struck and killed on Broadview Ave. at Danforth Ave. Friday.
The 57-year-old, who had polio and used crutches to get around, was run down by a dump truck as he crossed Broadview with the light in the marked walkway.
Shao was the 10th pedestrian in 11 days to be killed on GTA roads.
Toronto Sun
