Boy, 15, dies after being struck by drivers on way to school in Vaughan

Police asking witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to contact them

Cbc.ca
Jan. 19, 2024
Adam Carter

A 15-year-old boy who investigators believe was on his way to school has died after being struck by drivers in Vaughan Thursday morning, York Regional Police say.

Investigators say the incident happened around 7:24 a.m., in the area of Weston Road and Villa Royale Avenue.

Police said in a news release it is believed the victim was struck by at least two vehicles. Const. Lisa Moskaluk told CBC News in an interview that police believe he was on his way to school when he was hit in the busy roadway.

"It appears as though this youth was struck by a vehicle, thrown a short distance, and then struck by a second vehicle," she said.

The boy was found lying in the roadway with "severe injuries,' Moskaluk said. Officers originally said the boy had life-threatening injuries, and was being rushed to a trauma hospital. The teen was later pronounced dead at the hospital, police say.

The drivers remained at the scene and the boy's next of kin have been notified, according to investigators.

Weston Road is closed from Maria Antonia Road to Davos Road and Ashberry Boulevard as a result of the collisions, and Moskaluk said drivers should expect closures through the day and possibly into the evening rush hour.

She did not yet have details of the circumstances leading up to the incident.

Anyone who was a witness or anyone with dashcam footage is being asked to contact police.

"We are desperately appealing to witnesses or anyone ... with dashcam footage to come forward and just help us fill in those questions that we have," Moskaluk said.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca called the teen's death a "devastating tragedy."

"My heartfelt and deepest condolences to this young man's loved ones," he said.

 

This story also appeared on CP24:  CP24 - Vaughan teen struck - 01-19-2024.mp4