A driver whose van suddenly swerved and struck a woman on a sidewalk in Scarborough was trying to avoid hitting the victim's dog, witnesses told CTV Toronto.
Police have not confirmed what bystanders claim they saw Thursday afternoon when the 42-year-old woman was hit and killed by the van.
In a statement released Friday afternoon, police said that the Dodge Caravan -- which was travelling north on Midland Avenue -- left the roadway for "reasons not yet determined." It hit a pole, and a woman and her dog shortly before 1 p.m.
Police say the woman was standing on the southeast corner of Midland Avenue and Gilder Drive, just north of Eglinton Avenue, at the time of the crash.
According to witnesses, however, the woman's dog left her side and ran onto the road.
The approaching van swerved, but ended up hitting the dog. The van then mounted the sidewalk, striking the woman and the light pole at the same time.
The woman, who was struck with such force that her shoes were knocked off, died at the scene. One of her shoes was found 30 metres away from her body on the other side of a fence. The victim's dog survived the incident.
Police said the driver, a 33-year-old woman, was also injured.
Police continue to investigate the crash. No charges have been laid.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Austin Delaney
