Toronto police say a baby had to be rushed to hospital after an alleged hit-and-run in Scarborough Sunday morning.
Police said they received several calls shortly before 11 a.m. for reports of a collision at Pharmacy Avenue and Ellesmere Road.
Officials said three people were struck in total — two women, 57-years-old and 37-years-old — and a 20-month-old boy in a stroller who suffered critical injuries.
The two women were rushed to a trauma centre in serious condition, but their conditions have since improved to stable.
One of the women is believed to be the mother of the baby, Insp. Mandeep Mann told reporters at the scene.
According to a police release on Sunday night, investigators said they have determined that a grey 2015 Dodge Journey was travelling eastbound on Ellesmere Road, approaching Pharmacy Avenue, when it struck the victims who were on a sidewalk at the intersection.
Police said the Dodge Journey drove past a few stopped vehicles and failed to stop at the red light indicated at the intersection.
Police added, “As a result of the impact, the front licence plate of the Dodge Journey became dislodged from the vehicle and was left at the scene.”
“Very, very hard impact. The people were in the air the whole way for about 30 or 40 feet,” said Noldy Burkhardt, who witnessed the crash.
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“He came out of nowhere. The three people were going to cross the road and head north on Pharmacy and he just hit them and carried them.”
Investigators also said two people got out of the Dodge Journey and walked around briefly, inspecting what happened. One of the vehicle’s occupants got back into the SUV and fled the scene driving southbound on Pharmacy Avenue, police said.
Investigators said the other occupant of the vehicle fled the scene on foot.
Police said they are looking for three persons of interest:
Cory Munroe, 49-years-old, a resident of Toronto.
Derek Desousa, 34-years-old, a resident of Toronto.
Amanda Rioux, 30-years-old, a resident of Toronto.
Investigators said they are also looking for a fourth person, but did not release their identity.
Police have released an image of a person who officers said is believed to be the passenger.
Mann described the suspected driver as a male with a beard.
“We’ve had tremendous cooperation from the civilian witnesses who were on scene including the businesses,” Mann said. “We have video in relation to what occurred and what happened right after.”
On Monday evening, investigators said the suspect vehicle was located in the area of O’Connor Road and St. Clair Avenue East at around 6:24 p.m.
Police said security camera footage obtained captured an image of the man who allegedly abandoned the vehicle before fleeing on foot.
Anyone with information or who recognizes either of the two men is asked to contact police at 416-808-1900 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477(TIPS).
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