A school bus driver has been charged in connection with a collision in Toronto’s east end three months ago that left a 22-year-old woman dead.
Police said the woman was walking on a pedestrian crossing on Kingston Road near Kingswood Rood on the afternoon of Oct. 9 when she was struck by a school bus making a left-hand turn.
The 22-year-old suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital, where she died a few days later.
Meanwhile, the driver of the school bus remained at the scene, police said.
On Thursday, investigators announced that the driver, identified as 60-year-old Anthony Phillips, surrendered to police.
He has been charged with dangerous operation causing death and careless driving causing death.
‘Stood for all that is good in the world’
A lawyer representing the woman’s family released a statement following the news of Phillips’s charges, identifying her as Rachel Turner.
Turner had just graduated from Wilfred Laurier University, majoring in business administration, and was on track to pursue an MBA. Her family said she also had just met her soulmate.
“Charges won’t bring Rachel back, but they show that her death was preventable and that she wasn’t to blame,” Leon Turner, the victim’s father, said.
“It is important that someone is held accountable so that, hopefully, action can be taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future.”
The family filed a statement of claim, seeking $7.5 million in damages from the driver and his employer, FirstCanada, alleging the accused was “distracted and travelling too fast” and that the bus company failed to provide adequate training.
“My daughter was a natural leader and a bright beacon of light who stood for all that is good in the world,” Susan Turner, the victim’s mother, said.
“And, in an instant, we’ve lost her. The impact has devastated our family and continues to be felt across the community. There has to be accountability for that.”
A spokesperson for FirstCanada confirmed to CTV News Toronto that it is aware of the statement of claim, but could not provide comment due to the active investigation.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to thoes affected by this tragic incident. We are fully cooperating with the authorities as they conduct their investigation,” the statement reads.
