Motorcyclist charged in east-end Toronto hit-and-run investigation, 4-year-old still in critical condition

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that a boy who was struck by a motorcycle in Toronto remains in hospital. Toronto police said on Sunday afternoon that he had succumbed to his injuries, but several hours later clarified that the information distributed had been incorrect.

Toronto police say a 31-year-old man has been charged in connection with a motorcycle hit-and-run in the city’s east end that sent a four-year-old boy to hospital with critical injuries.

Officers said they received a call for reports of a pedestrian struck at Victoria Park Avenue and Adair Road at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.

When authorities arrived on scene, investigators said they located a four-year-old boy who had been hit by a motorcycle and was in and out of consciousness.

The child was rushed to a trauma centre in serious condition. Toronto police said at 4:22 p.m. on Twitter the child had died in hospital but said around 8 p.m. the hospital confirmed he was alive. Police have not explained how the error occurred.

A GoFundMe campaign has been created to help support the family.

Police also released pictures of two suspects in a tweet.

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https://twitter.com/TPSTrafficDC/status/1132810743152353285

It is unclear what circumstances led up to the collision.

In an update released Monday afternoon, police said a man – whose name officers have not released to protect the integrity of the investigation — was charged with leaving the scene of an accident causing bodily harm, driving a motor vehicle with an improper licence, and operating a motor vehicle without insurance. A 2016 Harley Davidson Road Glide Motorcycle has also been seized.

Investigators said they believe there was also a woman in her 20s who was on the back of the motorcycle. Police allege she fled the scene following the collision on foot.

Traffic services thanked the public and media for their help in identifying the suspect and vehicle, but are still appealing for security or dash camera video and anyone with information to contact police.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has information in relation to it is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.