Toddler critically injured as car strikes daycare group in Oshawa

A two-year-old girl was critically injured Wednesday morning when a car struck a group of young children and a daycare worker crossing a street in Oshawa, Durham Regional Police say.

Acting Sgt. Nicholas Gluckstein told The Canadian Press the daycare worker was on her daily walk with five children through a residential neighbourhood when they were all struck while crossing the street near Ryerson Crescent and Sheridan Way at about 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 21.

The two-year-old suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital before being airlifted by Ornge to a Toronto-area trauma centre, where she remains in critical condition. Four other children, ranging in age from three years to seven months, were hospitalized with minor injuries, and the adult daycare worker suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, Gluckstein said.

The driver, who was heading south and making a left turn through an intersection controlled by two stop signs, remained at the scene and is co-operating with investigators, police say. Gluckstein said there is no indication the driver was impaired, and that investigators are looking into the vehicle's speed and whether distracted driving played a role. Police are exploring possible charges as they continue speaking with witnesses and collecting area surveillance video. The driver's identity has not been released.

Gluckstein urged drivers to slow down, obey the rules of the road and be aware of their surroundings. Anyone with information about the collision is asked to contact Durham Regional Police at 1-888-579-1520.