Toronto police say they have now charged the driver who rammed into a bus shelter in the city’s east end on Tuesday, leaving a woman seriously injured.
Emergency crews were called to the intersection of Kennedy Road and Finch Avenue East at around 3 p.m.
Police said Andrew Rajaratnam was charged with impaired driving and driving with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.
Before his arrest, he spoke exclusively with Global News. Rajaratnam said the weather and another vehicle were to blame for the collision.
“It was a green light, clean green light. I put the brake and it was wet. I couldn’t control my truck.”
Rajaratnam said his green SUV jumped the curb and hit the bus shelter, sending the bus stop pole flying into the woman. He claimed the dump truck driver drove off after the collision.
“I got out of the car and I called 911 and before that so many people were standing out there, they called 911,” said Rajaratnam.
“There was a nurse there and she was trying to help her.”
He added he saw the woman’s face was bloodied.
“I was shaking,” said Rajaratnam. “She could be my grandma, she’s very old. I hope she’s doing well.”
Toronto paramedics said a woman in her 70s was transported to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Rajaratnam was released and is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 7. The charges have not been proven in court.
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