TORONTO – Community members lay flowers at a memorial in Scarborough after five-year-old Kayleigh Callaghan-Belanger was struck by a garbage truck and killed near Birchmount Road and Kingston Road on Thursday.
The incident happened just before 4 p.m. Thursday on Cliffside Drive near East Haven Drive.
Police say four children were crossing Cliffside Drive, when a garbage truck made a left turn and struck three of the children.
Callaghan-Belanger was pronounced dead at the scene. A six-year-old and 13-year-old were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. A fourth child was with the group, but was not hit.
Kayleigh’s father, Jacob Callaghan, visited the memorial site Friday morning and said her daughter was a “happy beautiful little girl” and an “amazing child.”
“There should be a crossing walk or a crossing guard here or something,” he told reporters. “This whole situation could have been prevented.”
Callaghan said her daughter had two younger sisters and a brother, with her mother due to give birth in about a week.
Photo: Flowers and stuffed animals set up at the memorial on Friday. Credit: Marianne Dimain, Global Toronto
Witness Richard Lloyd told Global Toronto the truck driver got out of the truck, screaming and crying when he saw what had happened. The 64-year-old driver then passed out, according to Lloyd.
Police told Global Toronto that speed is not a likely cause of the crash. Anyone with information is being asked to call 416-808-1900, contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477, online, or Leave A Tip on Facebook.
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford released a statement on the incident late Thursday afternoon.
“This afternoon, I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn that three children were struck, one fatally, by a City garbage truck. It’s with a heavy heart that I extend my deepest condolences to the victims during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers, and I’m sure those of every parent in Toronto, are with the children, their families and friends. We will do everything we can to assist the families. The City will cooperate fully with the investigation.“
View Three children struck by a vehicle in Scarborough in a larger map
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