Key Takeaways:
- A 27-year-old woman was killed in a hit-and-run collision in Scarborough, Toronto, on May 8
- The woman was struck by a white cargo van and then a dark SUV, both of which fled the scene
- The driver of the white cargo van, 43-year-old Gregory Manzer, has been arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident causing death and careless driving causing death
- Police are still searching for the driver of the dark SUV
- The incident occurred at the intersection of Birchmount Road and St. Clair Avenue East, and an off-duty firefighter attempted life-saving measures until first responders arrived
Introduction to the Incident
A man from Toronto has been arrested in connection with a deadly hit-and-run collision that occurred in Scarborough last spring. The incident happened on May 8, when a 27-year-old woman was crossing the street at Birchmount Road, just north of St. Clair Avenue East. According to authorities, the woman was struck by a white cargo van around 9:30 p.m. The van, which was traveling northbound, hit the woman, who was then struck by a second vehicle, described as a dark SUV, which was heading southbound.
Eyewitness Account
An eyewitness, Lawrence Clementes, told CityNews that the woman was wandering in the middle of the road and appeared to be in distress right before she was struck. Clementes said he had just arrived home when he noticed a woman dressed in white walking through busy traffic on Birchmount Road. He explained that he saw a vehicle approaching from St. Clair going northbound and, unfortunately, it hit the woman. Then, a second vehicle going southbound ran her over. The eyewitness account provides a glimpse into the events leading up to the tragic incident and highlights the need for drivers to be cautious and aware of their surroundings.
Response and Investigation
Authorities say an off-duty firefighter in the area at the time of the incident attempted life-saving measures until first responders arrived. However, despite these efforts, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and police are still searching for the driver of the dark SUV, which was last seen heading south on Birchmount Road. The white cargo van, which was wanted in connection with the fatal hit-and-run, was located the next day in the Kingston Road and McCowan Road area of Scarborough. Acting Insp. Phillip Sinclair noted that it is rare for both vehicles involved in an incident to flee the scene, but in this case, both vehicles struck the pedestrian and did not remain at the scene.
Arrest and Charges
The driver of the white cargo van, 43-year-old Gregory Manzer of Toronto, was arrested on November 26 and has been charged with two offences, including leaving the scene of an accident causing death and careless driving causing death. Manzer is scheduled to appear in court on January 20, 2026. The arrest and charges bring some sense of closure to the case, but the search for the driver of the dark SUV continues. Police are urging anyone with information about the incident or the whereabouts of the second vehicle to come forward and assist with the investigation.
Ongoing Search and Investigation
The investigation into the hit-and-run collision is ongoing, and police are working to piece together the events of that night. The search for the driver of the dark SUV is a priority, and authorities are counting on the public’s help to bring the second perpetrator to justice. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible driving and the need for drivers to remain at the scene of an accident. As the case continues to unfold, it is likely that more information will come to light, and the community will be watching as the investigation progresses. With the help of eyewitnesses and the public, police are working to ensure that justice is served and that those responsible for the tragic incident are held accountable.