Date: July 29, 2026
By Kimberly Wilson
TORONTO, Ontario — A man riding an electric scooter has died after a collision with a commercial van near Tommy Thompson Park in Toronto's east end on Wednesday evening. The fatal crash is under investigation as police work to determine what caused the collision.
Toronto Police said the crash occurred shortly before 7:45 p.m. near the intersection of Leslie Street and Unwin Avenue. Emergency crews responded to reports of a collision involving a commercial van and an e-scooter.
The e-scooter rider was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries but later succumbed to those injuries. Police have not yet released the victim's identity or age pending notification of next of kin.
Investigators said the driver of the commercial van remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation. No charges have been announced, and police said it is too early to determine what factors contributed to the collision.
Toronto Police Duty Inspector Dan Pravica told reporters investigators are examining several possibilities.
"I don't know if speed is a factor or if the corner itself or whether it was the occupant of the e-scooter or the driver of the mini-van, if either one is at fault," Pravica said.
Police also confirmed that the e-scooter rider was not wearing a helmet at the time of the collision. While helmets are strongly recommended for e-scooter users, investigators emphasized that the exact cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
The collision prompted the closure of parts of Leslie Street and Unwin Avenue for several hours as members of Toronto Police's Traffic Services unit documented the scene and gathered evidence. Motorists were advised to avoid the area while the investigation was underway.
Investigators are appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision or who may have dashcam or surveillance footage from the area around the time of the crash to contact Toronto Police. They believe additional video evidence could help establish the sequence of events leading up to the fatal collision.
The incident is the latest in a series of serious collisions involving e-scooters in the Greater Toronto Area, renewing discussions about road safety, rider visibility, helmet use, and the interaction between vulnerable road users and larger vehicles. Authorities continue to urge all road users to remain vigilant and share the road responsibly.