Woman struck and killed by Toronto street sweeper

An 85-year-old woman is dead after she was struck by a street sweeper in North York Tuesday morning, police say.

Toronto police said emergency crews were called to the area of Leslie Street and Lawrence Avenue East just after 9 a.m.

“The collision involved a pedestrian and a City of Toronto street sweeper. Unfortunately, the pedestrian was run over by the street sweeper and was pronounced deceased at the scene,” Acting Insp. Jeff Bassingthwaite told reporters Tuesday morning.

“I can tell you that it was an elderly female pedestrian.”

In a news release issued Tuesday afternoon, police said the victim was walking eastbound on Tremont Crescent when she was hit by the vehicle, which was being operated by a 39-year-old man.

Global News has learned that the victim was Marg Kanbergs.

She was a retired nurse, mother to two boys, and a grandmother. She lived in the area for decades and was well-known.

“She was always there for us. She was just a wonderful, wonderful human being. She was almost like a second mother to me I would say,” said Maureen Malloy, a neighbour and friend.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“It’s just so overwhelming.”

Don has been her gardener for 10 years.

“She was a wonderful wonderful lady, one of my best customers,” Don said.

“I hadn’t heard from her and I saw the yellow police tape and I just, I’m really in shock.”

Bassingthwaite said the operator of the street sweeper was very distraught and was taken to hospital.

“The posted speed limit on the street is 40 km/h and being the street sweeper was in operation at the time, it would not be travelling very fast,” Bassingthwaite said.

He said a commercial vehicle inspector would be attending the scene to examine the street sweeper.

Toronto police’s collision reconstruction unit was also on hand collecting evidence.

Bassingthwaite said investigators were speaking to witnesses and working to gather any surveillance video from nearby homes.

Residents who live in the area of Tremont Crescent and have surveillance video are being asked to contact police.

The City of Toronto released a statement after the collision.

“The City is aware of a tragic incident this morning involving a street sweeper and a pedestrian,” the statement said.

“The City is cooperating fully with the police and their investigation. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family, as well as our employee, at this very difficult time.”