12-year-old girl hit by vehicle while crossing road in west Toronto

A 12-year-old girl was rushed to hospital after she was hit by a vehicle while crossing a road in Toronto’s west end Monday morning, police say.

Toronto police said the collision in the area of Kipling Avenue and Burnhamthorpe Road was reported at 8:05 a.m.

“Through the great work of first responders, we were able to get the child to get treatment at SickKids,” Toronto police Sgt. Noel DeGuzman told reporters.

“These are the nightmares that we don’t want to experience as we’re just driving our kids to school or entrusting that they are going to school safely.”

Toronto paramedics told Global News they took one patient to a local trauma centre with serious injuries.

In an update posted to Twitter, police said the girl’s injuries are non-life-threatening.

The driver remained at the scene.

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DeGuzman said the driver, who was “very shaken up,” was speaking to police and was being offered mental and physical assistance.

“These events are traumatic to everybody involved and as a parent I would not want to experience this myself,” DeGuzman said.

While it isn’t yet clear exactly what may have led to the collision, or whether the child crossed on a red light, DeGuzman implored parents to talk to their children about road safety and also asked that drivers be cautious.

“I can’t disclose the actual colour of the light at this time because the investigation is still ongoing, but I will reiterate the importance that we teach our children the importance of making sure we double check and … the lesson of patience,” he said.

“If you’re trying to catch a light, another green light will appear a minute later.”

DeGuzman also said that drivers should take their time and adjust their schedules as needed to make sure they can get to their destination safely.

“You never know what you’re going to get involved with because you’re so focused on getting there quickly we forget that sometimes the importance of getting there safely,” he said.

The investigation is ongoing and it’s not yet clear whether or not charges will be laid.