Toronto police are investigating after a 71-year-old woman was critically injured when a light pole was struck by a truck and fell on her Friday afternoon.
The accident happened in the area of Yonge Street and Hillsdale Avenue, south of Eglinton Avenue West, around 3:17 p.m.
Toronto police said a white 2018 Freightliner delivery truck was backing out of a curb when the rear of it caught and knocked over a light pole, which then hit a female pedestrian in the head.
The woman was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
“It’s a freak incident,” Const. Shannon Eames said. “The pedestrian was simply in the wrong area at the wrong time when the pole fell.”
When asked if the driver would face charges, Eames said the investigation is still ongoing.
“The driver will have to be asked some questions about what happened,” she said. “While officers investigate, they will make a decision as to whether or not charges are appropriate.”
Yonge Street was closed between Manor Road and Berwick Avenue for several hours for the investigation, but has since reopened.
Police are asking anyone with information who was in the area between 3:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. and has video or dashcam footage to contact investigators at 416-808-1900 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
– with files from Beth McDonnell of CTV News Toronto
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