VICTIM Kelly Hamilton, 43, was well-liked and a mom of three kids. Area resident Ken Arkley, 75, was also killed, along with driver of vehicle. Courtesy GoFundMe.
Mimico residents are mourning the deaths of two long-time residents and a third person who drove through a red light and plowed into people crossing lawfully at an intersection.
The white Cadillac SUV after hitting the victims then smashed into the side of a parked tractor trailer that was involved in construction work on the roadway.
The driver Omar Sinclair Frederick Downey, 36, died on the spot.
THE DRIVER of the vehicle and two Mimico residents were killed on impact.
Police said Downey was banned due to crimes from driving in Canada. He was not allowed to drive in Ontario due to medical issues, members of Traffic Services said.
The March 31 crash killed Kelly Hamilton, 43, and Ken Arkley, 75, who were legally crossing at the intersection of Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Superior Avenue around 5:30 p.m.
Both were struck in front a number of people who were outside during the supper hour.
FIRE FIGHTERS fought valiantly to return to life the three victims but it was to late.
Arkley was said to be on his way home after visiting a local Valumart grocery store. Hamilton was also on her way home when fatally hit.
The SUV did not apply any brakes and instead drove in the middle lane on the TTC streetcar tracks, barreled through a red light and slammed into a parked flatbed truck, according to witnesses.
“It was a horrific crash,” said Carl, an area resident. “People were running to help and some were crying. It was terrible.”
RAY QALAWI, owner of Kabob House, ran to Fire Hall on Eighth Street, in New Toronto, to get help after killer SUV sideswiped a van. The driver got back into the SUV and sped off causing the fatal accident in Mimico.
Police said the Cadillac had earlier sideswiped a parked van near Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Eighth Street.
Ray Qalawi, the owner of Kabob House, heard the crash and ran to Toronto Fire Station 435, on Eighth Street, to get help. He had smashed the driver’s window of the vehicle so the man could breathe.
“The man looked like he was having a medical incident,” Qalawi said. “There were a number of people who had gathered to help him.”
He said fire fighters, along with an ambulance, soon arrived but the man got back into his vehicle and sped off east on Lakeshore Blvd. W.
“About four minutes later we heard of the tragic accident in Mimico,” he said. “If someone had detained this man then we would not have anyone dead today.”
Mimico resident Nesren Haso lives near the crash site and heard the sirens from police and paramedics arriving at the scene.
“I saw the bodies on the ground,” Haso recalled. “I haven’t been able to sleep for days.”
A Go Fund Me campaign has raised almost $5,000 to help with the Hamilton’s funeral and raise her children.
“Kelly was a young beautiful, smart, funny woman whose smile lit up the room,” wrote friend Sabrina Szuszwalak. “She was loved by many and is leaving behind her three children and countless family and friends who will miss her dearly.”
Area residents, some who do not even know the victims, have been leaving flowers at the scene to say their goodbyes.