A simple car accident may have led to a fight that ended in a North York man’s fatal stabbing days later, police said Tuesday.
Anthony Koko Chang, 62, died after he was stabbed outside his Francine Drive home near Leslie Street and Steeles Avenue on Sept. 12.
But a collision between his scooter and a truck in another part of town two days earlier appears to have precipitated that fight, police believe.
The crash happened Sept. 10 in the northbound lanes of Mount Pleasant Road near Roehampton Avenue when a red and grey scooter operated by Chang collided with a white Ford F250 pick-up truck with a Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries logo on the side, police said.
Chang sustained minor injuries in the collision and his scooter sustained about $1,000 in damage, but he agreed to settle the matter with the suspect outside of the insurance process, police said.
The two exchanged information and kept in contact. Authorities at Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries were never notified of the incident, police said.
“Mr. Chang’s son knew about the accident because everyone had told him to go through insurance but he wanted to do the right thing and help this young man,” Det. Kate Beveridge told reporters.
Police said Tuesday they believe the suspect went to Chang’s home between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 12, two days after the collision, to discuss the damage to the truck.
A fight broke out between the two men and escalated, with Chang receiving multiple stab wounds that resulted in his death, police said Tuesday.
He was rushed to hospital by paramedics, where he was pronounced dead.
At a news conference Tuesday, investigators said they had arrested a suspect and had been working to piece together evidence about the collision and the homicide.
Beveridge said police learned a lot through Chang’s own notes.
“Mr. Chang was an interpreter with immigration services and was a very meticulous note-keeper,” Beveridge said. “So he assisted us.”
Beveridge said neighbours from Chang’s area have been extremely helpful so far, but investigators are still looking to speak with anyone who has information about either the collision on Sept. 10 or the murder on Sept. 12.
Police say they believe neighbours or students in the Francine Drive area may have witnessed something on the morning of Sept. 12 that could help investigators.
In particular, investigators are also looking to speak with anyone who has information about a 2002 blue Chevrolet Venture minivan-type vehicle with the Ontario licence plate #BEZF 970. Police say the vehicle – believed to have been driven by the suspect – would have been driven and parked in the area for a period of time.
Meanwhile, police are using the opportunity to caution others about keeping serious incidents off the record.
Beveridge said that while Chang had good intentions in going outside the insurance system, people should be careful when making deals with strangers.
“What you have to remember when you’re handing over your driver’s licence or your insurance claim or the ownership for your vehicle, your address is on that. You also generally pass over a phone number,” Beveridge said. “You always have to be cautious of who you’re dealing with in relation to some kind of agreement if it’s a stranger to you.”
A suspect, identified as Kimnarine Keshan Maharaj, 24, was arrested Monday and charged with second-degree murder in connection with the case.
Maharaj, who arrived in Canada from Trinidad about six years ago, is a small motor mechanic at the cemetery and a seasonal worker, Beveridge said.
He is not known to police, she said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Kate Beveridge at 416-808-7400 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
