Statement on life-threatening collision at Oakwood and Holland Park

The terrible accident at Oakwood Avenue and Holland Park Avenue yesterday, in which a pedestrian was struck by a pickup truck making a left turn, has impacted Davenport students, residents, and business owners in Oakwood Village. As too many previous injuries and deaths of pedestrians have repeatedly shown, we need to take stronger action on road safety in our city. 

My deepest sympathies are with the victim of the accident, her family and community at this difficult time. As a resident of the area, I feel the urgency personally, particularly knowing that there have long been concerns about traffic safety along Oakwood Avenue. 

While Transportation staff gather additional information about this collision and prepare to conduct a traffic safety review, my office is working closely with Toronto District School Board Trustee Alexis Dawson and with the Oakwood Village BIA. Collectively, we want to see immediate temporary infrastructure installed to prevent further harm, while identifying and mobilizing for longer-term solutions. 

The City of Toronto first adopted the Vision Zero road safety plan – which is a commitment to reducing traffic-related deaths to zero – in 2017. But six years later, our city has made little progress on this pledge. Traffic collisions continue to claim between 40 and 60 lives each year, and pedestrians are at the greatest risk. In 2022, 22 pedestrians were killed by vehicles in Toronto, more than motorists and cyclists combined. 

We cannot continue to accept the status quo. I will continue to advocate for urgent action for Davenport, and for the entire City, which requires speeding up the changes we know will make our streets safe for everyone. 

Media Contact

Wyndham Bettencourt-McCarthy
[email protected]