Toronto traffic agent killed after being struck by a dump truck in Thorncliffe - Toronto Star

The Millwood Rd. and Overlea Blvd. area where the 42-year-old man died is near multiple construction sites, including the future Ontario Line.

Police examine a dump truck near Millwood Road and Overlea Boulevard after a traffic agent was injured Thursday morning. The 42-year-old man died at the scene. 

A City of Toronto traffic agent died Thursday morning after being struck by a dump truck while he directed vehicles at a busy Thorncliffe intersection surrounded by construction sites.

Shortly after 9 a.m., Toronto police were called to Millwood Road and Overlea Boulevard in East York, an area near an Ontario Line construction site, for reports of a vehicle striking a pedestrian, where they found a traffic agent injured by a blue Kenworth truck.

The agent, a 42-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene despite life-saving efforts, according to Duty Insp. Peter Wallace.

“This is a heartbreaking incident and our thoughts are with the victim’s family, loved ones and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time,” Wallace said at a press conference Thursday afternoon.

The death of the man, a member of CUPE Local 79, resonated among his fellow city traffic workers, and multiple agents gathered at the scene after being excused from their posts.

“Our hearts are heavy,” Local 79 president Nas Yadollahi said. “The essence of this community, these workers is that they’re very close-knit ... they’re losing a family member.”

Police said the dump truck, driven by a 33-year-old man, was driving southbound on Millwood Road and turning left onto Overlea Boulevard when it hit the traffic agent. The driver remained on the scene and is co-operating with police.

A police officer photographs the dump truck after a city traffic agent was struck and killed in the Thorncliffe neighbourhood of East York on Thursday morning.

Yellow police tape cordoned off the intersection for hours, surrounding the large blue dump truck and multiple police collision reconstruction vans. Police inspectors and photographers examined the truck, its lights still blinking, from all angles, including one officer who used a sliding board to wheel underneath and inspect the truck’s undercarriage.

The area around Millwood Road and Overlea Boulevard is currently under heavy construction for the Ontario Line’s elevated guideway and Thorncliffe Park Station, with visible construction work on two sides of the intersection.

Multiple local residents said the intersection, which also sits by the construction site for a future transit-oriented community, is a busy one and has seen traffic increase with construction vehicles.

The area, Metrolinx documents show, is the site of piling work, where deep foundational columns are being built underground. 

“We can confirm that a tragic incident occurred this morning near an Ontario Line construction site located near Millwood Rd. and Overlea Blvd.,” a spokesperson for Metrolinx said in a statement, deferring to Toronto police for further updates.

Police said the dump truck belongs to a private company. An investigation into the incident, including checking cameras to piece together the events, is ongoing.

In statements posted online, Mayor Olivia Chow and Premier Doug Ford offered their condolences to the agent’s friends, family and colleagues.

“Traffic agents do some of the most demanding work in our city,” Chow said. “We are deeply thankful for that service, and this loss is a painful reminder of the risks they take on our behalf.”

A police officer photographs the dump truck after a city traffic agent was struck and killed in the Thorncliffe neighbourhood of East York on Thursday morning.

While the scene was cordoned off to vehicles, work continued at the nearby construction site on Overlea Boulevard and cyclists made their way along Millwood Road.

Overlea Boulevard and Millwood Road were reopened to traffic Thursday afternoon.

Gabriel Hilty is a staff reporter with the Toronto Star. He can be reached at ghilty@thestar.ca.

Matthew Daldalian is a staff reporter with the Star. Reach him via email: mdaldalian@thestar.ca