Crossing guard hit in Richmond Hill crash following string of pedestrian collisions

On Thursday afternoon, an SUV struck a crossing guard and three other pedestrians in Richmond Hill, north of Toronto, leaving four individuals injured. The 61-year-old guard was working at a crosswalk near Major Mackenzie Drive East and Essex Avenue when the crash occurred around 3:15 p.m. She sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to a trauma center.

Among the other victims, a 36-year-old woman and two children, aged seven and one, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were also transported to the hospital. The driver of the SUV remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators, indicating no indication of intentional violence. Police have stated that the incident is under investigation and no charges have been laid at this time.

The crash is the latest in a series of pedestrian collisions in the Greater Toronto Area this week. In Newmarket, a 20-year-old woman was fatally struck on Wednesday, while a man in his 70s was struck in Toronto's east end early Thursday morning. The city of Toronto has issued warnings and an educational campaign about daylight saving time and reduced visibility for road users since the clocks were turned back an hour on November 1.

Pedestrian collisions have increased by more than 30 percent from November to March during the evening commute. Police agencies across Ontario, including Toronto, York and Peel police, have also launched similar campaigns. Anyone with information about the crash or who may have dashcam footage is urged to contact the investigators.