Police tape marks a crime scene in this file photo.JOHN LEHMANN
A York Regional Police officer has been charged after a Special Investigations Unit probe of a pedestrian death this year in east Toronto.
Natasha Abogado, 18, died on Feb. 12 when she was struck while crossing St. Clair Avenue East by an unmarked vehicle driven by an on-duty police officer.
The SIU says Detective Constable Remo Romano is facing one charge of dangerous driving causing death and is to appear in court on July 24.
York Police Chief Eric Jolliffe issued a statement Thursday calling the incident a "terrible tragedy" and extended condolences to Abogado's family.
Jolliffe says Romano has been with the force since 2003 and will be assigned to administrative duties until the conclusion of the criminal proceedings.
The SIU is an arm's-length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.