Alleged road rage incident in Toronto caught on camera
Toronto police are investigating an incident of alleged road rage against a cyclist that was caught on camera.
Dafydd Hughes told CTV News Toronto he was travelling along College Street around 7 p.m. on May 30 when he was cut off by an angry driver.
Hughes had merged into the lane to go around a vehicle that was merging right.
A camera mounted to his bike captures the sound of honking. A red vehicle is then seen driving in front of him at a high rate of speed before stopping, despite the green light at the intersection.
“It was close enough to scare me,” Hughes said. “The motorist cut me off and started shouting some pretty awful things—a lot of homophobic stuff and eventually a threat.”
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
The driver could be heard on the video yelling at Hughes, calling him stupid before using homophobic slurs.
The light at the intersection turns red and the driver continues to yell as Hughes asks him if he is okay.
“It felt scary, but also normal,” Hughes said
“This sort of violence and aggression is something that you face as a cyclist in Toronto, not consistently, not every day, but certainly enough to have it always in your mind.”
Lawyer and cycling advocate David Shellnutt said he was shocked to see the incident but not surprised. He said while there was no contact, there was a “clear move with the vehicle to weaponized it” and that this could lead to dangerous driving or threat of assault charges.
“We have cases where vehicles have been weaponized against cyclists or drivers have gotten out of their car and physically assaulted cyclists,” he said.
“This is a serious issue on our roads that needs to be addressed by all levels of government to the very top.”
In a statement to CTV News Toronto, Deputy Mayor Jennifer Mekelvie said these kinds of incidents are not acceptable.
“I understand there is a police investigation underway, and I'm sure the police will be dedicating every resource needed to follow up on that case,” she said.
“It's extremely disappointing to hear about incidences of road rage like that towards cyclists are happening and continue to happen. It's not acceptable. I hope the cyclist is OK and that justice will be done in this case and any case like it.”
Toronto police confirmed a report was filed on June 1 and they are investigating.
With files from CTV News Toronto's Mike Walker
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.