Young woman struck and killed by on-duty police officer in Scarborough
CBC News | Posted: February 14, 2014 11:21 AM | Last Updated: February 14, 2014
Natasha Carla Abagado, 18, was on her way home from work
The province's Special Investigations Unit is investigating the death of an 18-year-old young woman after she was struck and killed by an unmarked police vehicle on Wednesday.
Natasha Carla Abagado, often called Carla, was hit at near Warden Road and St. Clair Avenue East, just steps away from her home. Friends said she was just getting off the bus on her way home from work.
She was pronounced dead on the scene by paramedics.
The cause of the incident is under investigation. But residents say jaywalking is common in the area as people come and go from nearby Providence Health Centre.
Faith Salera was is in her room doing homework when it happened and recalls hearing a commotion outside.
“All I heard was a big crash and a boom and then like a shriek or like some kind of yelp,” said Salera.
When she looked out her window she saw a crowd gathering and the silhouette of a body on the road.
Selera had known Abagado since elementary school.
“My dad told me it was Carla Abagado… It's Natasha... and it was really shocking. I never thought it would be her,“ she said.
Family friend Adrian Alconcel said the news is a terrible shock made even more difficult by the fact it was an on-duty police officer.
“They aren't supposed to hurt people right, they're supposed to protect people hearing that news coming from the police it just, its just unbelievable,” Alconcel said.
The SIU is looking for witnesses, including anyone on a TTC bus who may have seen the incident, which occurred shortly after 8 p.m.
The SIU investigates whenever police are involved in a serious injury or death.