A city traffic agent has died after being struck by a driver of a dump truck in the city’s Thorncliffe Park neighbourhood Thursday, Toronto police say.
Officers responded to reports of a person struck by a vehicle near Millwood Road and Overlea Boulevard shortly after 9 a.m., Duty Insp. Peter Wallace told reporters at a scrum Thursday afternoon.
Wallace said the traffic agent, a 42-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. The dump truck driver, a 33-year-old man, remained to speak with investigators, he said.
According to Wallace, the dump truck driver was making a left turn from southbound Millwood Road to eastbound Overlea Boulevard, when he struck the agent who at the intersection directing traffic. The dump truck is connected to a private company, he said.
“This is a heartbreaking incident and our thoughts are with the victim’s family, loved ones and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time,” Wallace said.
“As a traffic agent, he played a very important role in keeping our city moving safely and worked closely with our officers, including members of the traffic services.”
Wallace said police extend their sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
There is no word on charges.
Police said in a news release later on Thursday that the vehicle was a blue Kenworth dump truck.
The intersection of Millwood Road and Overlea Boulevard was closed as police investigated but has since reopened.
Traffic agents gathered at scene to mourn: union local
About 20 traffic agents from across the city gathered along Overlea Boulevard, just outside the police barricade, before Wallace spoke to reporters.
Nas Yadollahi, president of CUPE Local 79, told reporters that thentraffic agent was a member of the local. The traffic agents are a very close-knit group and losing one is like losing a family member, she said. They all face the same risks, given they work in environments where there is a lot of traffic around, she added.
“I think this is them just in an impromptu way coming together to to mourn together while we wait for an investigation to yield some results,” she said.
“This is the worst thing that can happen to an organization and to a group of workers is to lose a worker on the job. And so our condolences first and foremost to the family members of the deceased as well as their loved ones and their colleagues.”
There were a few police vehicles and city vehicles that left at the same time as the body was removed. Police said they were headed to the Ontario coroner’s office.
About 20 traffic agents from across the city gathered along Overlea Boulevard just outside the police barricade Thursday before Wallace spoke to reporters. (Dale Manucdoc/CBC)
Yadollahi said it’s important that all health and safety measures are taken into account when the traffic agents are sent out to work.
“Every worker who leaves in the morning and goes to work absolutely should be able to come back home to their family and their loved ones.”
The union’s first priority is making sure that everyone affected is cared for, Yadollahi said.
She added the union is in contact with the city to ensure traffic agents are given access to support and time to grieve.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said traffic agents do some of the ‘most demanding work’ in the city. She said Toronto police have her full support to investigate what happened. (Ousama Farag/CBC)
Yadollahi said the union will be involved in the investigation to ensure it’s being fully examined “and that everything possible is done to protect the people who work on our streets.”
Mayor, city ‘saddened’ by loss
Mayor Olivia Chow said in an emailed statement she was “heartbroken” to hear of the traffic agent’s death and that the city stands with their loved ones during “this unimaginable loss.”
Chow said traffic agents do some of the “most demanding work” in the city to get people where they’re going safely. Toronto police have her full support to investigate what happened, Chow said.
“They work in live traffic, in all weather conditions, to keep people moving and protect pedestrians, cyclists and drivers,” she said. “We are deeply thankful for that service, and this loss is a painful reminder of the risks they take on our behalf.”
Support services available to staff, city says
Russell Baker, the city’s director of communications, said support services are being made available to city staff “who are feeling the gravity of this loss.”
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague and offer our heartfelt condolences to their family, friends and peers at this time,” Baker said.
In a post on the social media platform X on Thursday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford extended his condolences to the traffic agent’s family, loved ones, and co-workers.
“It’s a sober reminder of the sacrifices and risks traffic agents face every day while keeping our communities safe,” Ford said.
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw and the Toronto Police Association (TPA) also expressed their condolences on social media to the traffic agent’s family, friends and colleagues.
“We recognize the dedication shown by unionized workers who serve our city every day. News of a loss while carrying out those duties is tragic and heartbreaking,” the TPA said.
Police are asking anyone with footage of the area or incident to contact them.