GHOST BIKE being laid where cyclist was hit and killed by cement truck. Charges now laid.
Toronto Police have charged an Oshawa dump truck driver in connection with the death of a retired school teacher who was riding his bicycle in the Royal York Rd., and Judson St. area.
The 48-year-old man, who has not been identified, was charged by Traffic Services on December 10 with not making a safety turn and careless driving causing death under the Highway Traffic Act.
The incident occurred on November 20 around 4:43 p.m. involving a cyclist and a green cement truck at the busy Mimico intersection.
John Offutt, 59, a recently retired teacher, received high praise for his work in the classroom by former students on social media.
“He was a teacher who quit his real estate job to help kids succeed in a low income neighbourhood,” former student A. Hafeez wrote on social media. “It is truly amazing that someone would do that.”
Hafeez says Offutt was a good man who loved his students and wanted them to succeed.
Police allege Offutt was travelling southbound on Royal York Rd., when the cement truck made a right turn from southbound Royal York Rd. to westbound Judson St.
“The cement truck made contact with the cyclist,” investigators wrote in a press release. “The cyclist succumbed to his injuries at the scene.”
Officers said following their investigation and consultation with the Prosecutor’s Office, it was determined that charges should be laid.
The driver is slated to appear at Old City Hall Court on April 29, 2021, in Room C.
Offutt’s death has angered area residents and members of the Judson Street community, who have been complaining to the City for years that ML Ready Mix is an uncooperative neighbour.
Residents have been complaining about the dust, noise and pollution from a steady stream of cement trucks that daily frequent the ML Ready Mix yard, on Judson St.
“The tragic loss of life was made all the worse by the certain knowledge that it was entirely preventable,” a citizens advocacy group wrote after placing a ghost bicycle at the scene of his death.
Mimico area residents are being urged to sign an online petition to request the concrete plant be developed into green space.