TORONTO — A Toronto police officer has been taken to hospital after allegedly being struck by a cab driver while on a bicycle during Wednesday’s mass Uber protests.
Police said a community response officer from 53 Division was on a bike and attempted to stop a cab driver Wednesday morning at Yonge Street and Manor Road, when the driver struck the officer with his car.
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“One of the things that has to be our top concern is obviously public safety,” said Toronto Mayor John Tory, speaking to reporters about the protest Wednesday.
“There is no excuse for putting the public safety at risk … for police officers being knocked to the ground off their bicycles in the course of this kind of event for any kind of physical violence to be taking place in our city.”
The officer then fell to the ground and police said they managed to stop the driver as he attempted to drive away. The officer was taken to hospital with shoulder injuries.
“The cabbie was breaking the law and the officer in his lawful duty tried to pull him over and as a result, I’m not sure exactly what happened but at the end of the day my officer’s in the hospital,” said Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders, adding that there seemed to be a “new narrative” in the city of people not complying with police demands.
“Officers are going to respond according to the law and there are certain moments when we make demands and if those demands aren’t met then it will turn into an arrest … there was non-compliance and it led to the charges that were laid, including criminal charges.”
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Police said the driver, 73-year-old Angel Heras, was arrested at the scene and charged with dangerous driving, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm, failing to remain at the scene of an accident, obstructing a peace officer and distracted driving.
Police said he was released at the scene with an undisclosed future court date and the investigation is ongoing.
With files from Gabby Rodrigues and Steve Morales
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