A 43-year-old Toronto man now faces serious charges in connection with a tragic double hit-and-run incident that claimed the life of a young pedestrian in Scarborough earlier this year, according to Toronto Police.
The Fatal Night on Birchmount Road
The devastating incident occurred on May 8, 2025, shortly before 9:30 p.m. in the northbound lanes of Birchmount Road near Anaconda Avenue, just north of St. Clair Avenue East. Police confirm the victim was a 27-year-old woman whose identity has not been publicly released.
Witnesses described a horrifying sequence of events to investigators. They reported seeing a white cargo van traveling northbound strike the pedestrian, sending her flying approximately 15 metres through the air. Instead of stopping, the van continued driving away from the scene.
Tragically, as the woman lay injured on the roadway, a second vehicle traveling southbound ran over her. This driver also fled without rendering aid or contacting authorities.
Charges Laid and Ongoing Investigation
Following an extensive investigation, police located the suspected white cargo van near Kingston and McCowan Roads the day after the fatal collision. Investigators identified and arrested Gregory Manzer, 43, of Toronto on Wednesday.
Manzer now faces serious charges including criminal charges of leaving an accident scene causing death and careless driving causing bodily harm or death under Ontario's Highway Traffic Act. He is scheduled to appear in court on January 20, 2026.
Despite this arrest, the investigation remains active as police continue searching for the second vehicle involved, believed to be a dark-coloured SUV, and its driver.
Critical Witness Accounts and Evidence
Security camera footage from a nearby residence provided crucial evidence, capturing at least six northbound vehicles slowing to avoid the woman in the approximately 30 seconds before the fatal collisions. The video shows two vehicles swerving into oncoming southbound lanes to avoid her before she disappears from the camera's view.
Disturbingly, one witness reported seeing the victim wandering in live traffic lanes moments before the impact and had actually called 911 to alert police. Several witnesses rushed to the woman's side after she was struck in attempts to provide assistance, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police are also seeking to speak with the drivers of three specific southbound vehicles from that evening:
- A black Chevy Tahoe
- A light-coloured SUV
- A dark sedan
These drivers may possess valuable information that could assist the ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information about this fatal incident is urged to contact Toronto Police at 416-808-3200 or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
