Student killed on school’s first day

It was a tragic start to the school year in Toronto Tuesday morning. A teenaged girl died after being hit by a truck on her way to school.

Scot Urquhart has the details and reaction.

It seems as drivers we get a warning every year at this time; “it’s back to school, so be extra careful, and watch out for kids this morning.”

But despite that, all too often, tragedy strikes.

Michelle Wellington did not expect to be putting a make-shift memorial together, on the street corner outside her home this morning:

“As soon as I heard what happened, I ran out.”

“I have four kids of my own. It could have been one of them, right? My heart hurts.”

On the first day of the school year Michelle was shocked by the tragedy outside of her door. The police. The EMS. The heart-breaking signs, that something, had gone very wrong.

Monday Gala, the Principal at C.W. Jeffreys said “We are talking about a student that really enriched this building. A fantastic student that did very well in our classes.”

Violet Liang, would have been 15 years old, on Wednesday. Instead of celebrating her birthday, her family and neighbours, are now mourning her death:

Horace Malcolm said “To hear the tragedy that happened this morning, it’s sad. And our heart goes out to the family.”

Violet was on her way here, to C.W. Jefferys school almost an hour before classes. She was planning on helping a teacher prepare for the first day back.

But, as she crossed this intersection at Lamberton Boulevard, she was struck by a dump-truck turning left.

EMS workers pronounced her dead minutes later.

There’s been extensive construction in the area for months, and Sarah Robertson says residents have repeatedly complained about the trucks, that cut through their residential neighbourhood:

“They’ve been doing 70/80 kilometres down our street, it’s ridiculous and we need to do something about it.”

Ironically, the Toronto police service had just kicked off it’s annual “Back to School – Safe Road Initiative” on the very morning that Violet was killed.

Toronto police are still investigating this accident. They say they have witnesses; security camera video from at least two sources — and co-operation from the driver of the truck.

There’s no word on possible charges in connection with this death, as of yet. But once again, it serves as a sombre reminder that both drivers and students need to be extra cautious, and alert, on the way to and from school.