A tragic incident occurred in Vaughan, where a 60-year-old woman from Richmond Hill has been identified as the victim of a hit-and-run collision. York police are actively urging the driver involved in the incident to come forward, as the situation has raised serious concerns within the community.
The victim, a live-in caregiver, was en route to work when she alighted from a bus at the intersection of Pine Valley Drive and Major Mackenzie at approximately 8:30 p.m. on a Sunday evening. While walking northbound along the narrow shoulder of Pine Valley Drive, she was struck by a vehicle that was also traveling in the same direction.
Following the collision, the driver fled the scene, prompting police to initiate a thorough investigation. York police media officer Kevin Nebrija reported that the victim was discovered by a passerby who noticed a suitcase belonging to her near the roadside on Tuesday afternoon, just before 3 p.m. Upon arrival, authorities pronounced the woman dead at the scene. Although her next-of-kin has been informed, officials have opted not to disclose her name to the public at this time. It has also been confirmed that she had not been reported missing prior to the discovery.
When probed about the delay in finding the woman, which spanned nearly 48 hours, Officer Nebrija stated that the area where she was walking is relatively isolated. As he explained, "Once you travel north of Major Mackenzie on Pine Valley, it does become a bit more dense in terms of foliage and grass and so where the female was located was a bit off of the roadway so someone driving by wouldn’t see it right away.” This lack of visibility may have contributed to the delayed discovery of the victim's body.
In light of the circumstances, Officer Nebrija is calling on the driver responsible to take accountability for their actions, emphasizing that given the nature of the victim's injuries, it is likely the driver was aware of having struck someone. Unfortunately, there is currently no description available for the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run.
Furthermore, Nebrija has reached out to automobile repair shops in the area, urging them to be vigilant for any vehicles that may have sustained damage indicative of a pedestrian collision. He encouraged these businesses to contact police if they observe any such vehicles. The department is also appealing to the public for assistance; anyone with information or dashcam footage related to this tragic event is encouraged to reach out to the police or contact Crime Stoppers to report their findings.
The community remains in shock over the sudden and senseless loss of the victim, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and justice in cases involving hit-and-run incidents. As the investigation unfolds, police are hopeful that new leads will emerge to help identify the driver responsible and bring closure to the victim’s family and friends.
