The driver of a Jaguar was allegedly seen speeding moments before hitting numerous vehicles in a crash in south Etobicoke that sent several people to hospital late Monday afternoon, a staff sergeant at the scene confirmed to CP24.
Toronto Police Service (TPS) say they were called to the New Toronto neighbourhood, near Islington Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard West, just after 3 p.m. for reports of a personal injury collision.
Initial calls came in for hit-and-run involving a white SUV, said Duty Insp. Brian Maslowski.
Maslowski said the driver of the SUV then continued eastbound on Lake Shore, striking 11 vehicles in total.
Paramedics told CP24 that they transported three people to the hospital. They said one man, later identified as the driver of the Jaguar, was rushed to a trauma centre with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries, while two other victims were taken to a local hospital in non-life-threatening condition.
Maslowski added that in the initial fail-to-remain collision, the other driver suffered minor injuries, but was not taken to the hospital.
Police also said that everyone who was injured was in a vehicle and no pedestrians were hit.
In an April 8 news release, TPS said the driver of a white Jaguar SUV was travelling eastbound on Lakeshore Road East at Hurontario Street in Mississauga.
A staff sergeant from traffic services previously told CP24 that the same driver may have been seen speeding in Peel Region, as they received a radio call related to the same vehicle.
Police added that the motorist was driving “erratically” and was missing their front right tire.
They said that the driver was seen driving on the sidewalk near Lakefront Promenade before continuing eastbound on Lakeshore Boulevard West.
After entering the city of Toronto, he got into a collision near Kipling Avenue and Lakeshore Boulevard West before continuing eastbound and striking several vehicles between Sixth and Fifth streets.
In total, the operator of the Jaguar hit 11 other vehicles, police said.
A 31-year-old driver was arrested and charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
In footage, reviewed by CTV News Toronto, large pieces of debris are seen strewn across Lake Shore Boulevard West. One SUV’s back left tire appears to be completely torn off, while another sedan’s front hood appears to be nearly ripped off.
Roads in the areas as well as streetcar routes were closed or suspended as police investigated, but have since re-opened and/or resumed.
Toronto police are asking anyone with further information, including security or dashcam footage, about this ongoing dangerous driving investigation to contact Traffic Services at 416-808-1900 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
With files from CP24’s Beatrice Vaisman
