The Canadian squash community is mourning the death of rising squash player Adrian Dudzicki, who died this week after being struck by a vehicle in North York.

Dudzicki, 23, was hit by a vehicle Wednesday morning near Sheppard Avenue and Kodiak Crescent, Squash Canada said in a statement.

According to emergency officials, he suffered a serious head injury and was pronounced dead at the scene. The 20-year-old driver of the vehicle was later arrested and charged. He appeared in court on Thursday.

Dudzicki, who was born in Italy and raised in Ottawa, had recently been training in Toronto. He was riding his bicycle to the National Squash Academy at the time of the incident, Squash Canada said.

Dudzicki had joined the Professional Squash Association World Tour in 2008, and had ranked as high as 136 on the PSA rankings. In 2012, Dudzicki reached a career high of number nine in the Canadian men's open singles ranking.

Many members of the squash community paid tribute to the young player following news of his death.

Squash Canada President Lolly Gillen said in a statement that the entire Canadian squash community is "totally numb" from the loss.

"Losing a popular aspiring athlete at such a tender age with so much potential, dedication and commitment to fulfilling his dreams of becoming one of our top players has left a huge hole in us all," Gillen said.

PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough also paid tribute to the player in a statement on the organization’s website.

"Adrian was a dedicated squash player who was always a pleasure to deal with and who had a promising future ahead of him" he said. "Our thoughts are with the Dudzicki family at this sad time. He will be sorely missed."

Aleksey Aleksev has been charged with dangerous driving causing death and criminal negligence causing death. He was granted bail Thursday morning with conditions, including that he not be in the driver's seat of any vehicle.

Police investigating the case are asking for the six people who assisted Dudzicki at the scene to contact police at 416-808-1900, or through Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS.

With files from CTV Toronto's Tamara Cherry