Pedestrian struck, killed by TTC bus on Lawrence Ave near Allen Road

A senior was killed after she was struck by a TTC bus at Lawrence West station Saturday morning, Toronto Police said.

The 65-year-old was crossing from the south to the north side of Lawrence Ave. W., near Allen Rd., just before 10:30 a.m., when she was hit by the westbound bus.

"He was exiting the bus depot and making a left-had turn on to Lawrence and struck the woman," Traffic Services Const. Clinton Stibbe said at the scene.

"She was trapped underneath and was pronounced dead."

Stibbe said the investigation is ongoing and police are trying to determine who had the right of way.

"Was there any light violation? Did the bus go through on a red? We can't just assume she had the whole right of way," Stibbe said.

"We have to see where she started (crossing) and that's where the video will come in handy."

Police have received video footage from the TTC bus and are combing though it. Stibbe said investigators will also look at other video footage from the surrounding area.

He estimates a determination on who had the right of way -- the pedestrian or the 34-year-old male driver -- won't come about until a few weeks from now. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday at the latest.

The coroner was on scene.

At 12:30 p.m. the draped body was still located under the bus parked on Lawrence Ave. W., but was removed shortly after.

Tammy, an eyewitness who did not want her last name used, said she was leaving a job interview and saw the grisly incident.

"She flew up in the air and her shoes fell off," she said. "I was so shaken I couldn't focus. I saw the driver (out of the bus) was walking back and forth."

Tammy described the pedestrian as a Caucasian woman wearing a cream-coloured jacket.

Dina Jeffrey, 18, said she frequently sees buses turn that corner quickly.

"They're speeding out of the station," she said. "Either the bus driver didn't see her walking or she ran across trying to catch a light and the bus driving was speeding out and hit her."

TTC spokesman Mike DeToma said it is too early to determine whether the driver is at fault. However, the transit authority will do its own internal investigation.

"The TTC extends its deepest sympathies to the family of the victim and we are cooperating fully with the police investigation," he said.

This is Toronto's 22nd pedestrian fatality this year and the 34th fatality. At this time last year, there were 28 pedestrian fatalities and 46 total fatalities.

"Twenty-four of our fatalities last year were elderly, so she falls into that group," Stibbe said.

The westbound lanes remain closed for the police investigation.
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