A candlelight vigil is held in Scarborough on Dec. 21, 2014, in memory of 14-year-old Amaria Diljohn, who died two days earlier when she was killed by a TTC bus.Michelle Siu/The Globe and Mail
Cameras on a Toronto transit bus may provide key clues into why the driver did not stop after his vehicle struck and killed a 14-year-old girl.
Toronto Transit Commission spokeswoman Jessica Martin said all buses are equipped with interior cameras and have been since about 2008. "They cover all angles inside, with some peripheral exterior angles," Ms. Martin noted in an e-mail.
Video from the bus has been downloaded and forwarded to Toronto Police, who are still investigating what led to Amaria Diljohn's death on Friday.
Her family and friends held a candlelight vigil on Sunday in memory of the teenager, nicknamed MoMo. They gathered in the cold at the Scarborough intersection where she was struck. According to a Facebook page created to honour Amaria, she had just exited the bus. One man wrote that he and others rushed to help the girl, performing CPR until emergency workers arrived.
It is unclear whether the 27-year-old driver was aware that his bus had struck the teen around 5:40 p.m. Friday.
It was dark already – one of the shortest days of the year. Police said the girl was attempting to cross Neilson Road at Finch Avenue East when the bus turned right and hit her.
The bus kept going, police said. Amaria's injuries were so severe that she died at the scene.
Sergeant Duncan Miller said Sunday that the investigation is expected to take several more days, as officers continue to interview witnesses and examine the bus.
Sgt. Miller said police pinpointed the bus involved through their investigation. Police have spoken with the driver. He has not been charged.
The TTC and the bus driver's union are co-operating with the investigation. Neither the TTC nor the union would disclose details about the driver's employment history. He will not return to driving while the investigation is ongoing, Ms. Martin said.
Both the TTC and union offered condolences to the girl's family.
"We are shocked and devastated by this grievous tragedy and our hearts go out as one to this young girl's family and friends," the Amalgamated Transit Workers, Local 113, said in a statement. "No words can express the depth of our sadness for those who knew and loved her and no circumstances surrounding what happened can lessen their overwhelming sorrow."
In the wake of Friday's deadly collision, TTC chief executive officer Andy Byford has asked his chief safety and service officers to accelerate a review of the transit organization's programs for recruiting, training, monitoring and recertifying bus and streetcar operators.
The review began several weeks ago following reports of TTC vehicles disobeying red lights. Its findings will be presented to the TTC board, likely in January or February, Mr. Byford told The Globe and Mail.
"Our operators cover 200 million kilometres per year … so we do have a good safety record. However, it is not perfect and that's why I'm taking the action that I'm taking," he said.
Mr. Byford cautioned that his decision to hasten the review does not mean conclusions have been reached in the investigation into Amaria's death. He said he could not comment on the driver's employment history and did not know whether the TTC employee was aware that his bus had struck the girl.
"I was not present at the police interview, so I do not know that," Mr. Byford said. "I think it's important that we let the police investigation run its course."
Renata D’Aliesio