A teenage cyclist has sustained life threatening injuries after being struck by a pickup truck hauling a landscape trailer in Mississauga on Wednesday morning.
Peel police were called to the scene at Highway 10 at Bristol Road in Mississauga at 7:51 a.m. and found the male teen unconscious and bleeding from the face.
He was taken to Trillium Health Centre where his injuries are now listed as serious but is conscious and breathing.
Charges are pending, but police are not saying who will be facing them.
Traffic has been building in the busy area as police investigate. Bristol Road has been closed off in both directions at the intersection. Southbound Hurontario Street at Barondale Drive has been closed off. This area will be closed off for several hours for investigation.
Bristol Road has been closed in both directions while Hurontario Street's southbound lanes are also closed. The truck remains at the scene.
Peel police have not released the identity of the teen but say his father has been notified.
Over 20 pedestrians have been struck by vehicles in the past two weeks. Police cite daylight savings time and changing weather conditions as contributing factors.
"With the colder weather, with snow, rain and wind, people are wearing darker clothes and often walking with their head down," said Toronto police Sgt. Tim Burrows of Traffic Services.
"Foremost to drivers, they have to be cognizant. The fact with less visibility, you're not going to see (pedestrians) easily when they're in front of you. You have to adjust how you look and slow down," Burrow advises. He cautions pedestrians to also be aware that they're not as visible to drivers and to be more alert.
"Don't walk in front of moving cars, let them pass all the time," he adds.
On average in November, eight pedestrians are hurt every day by vehicle related accidents, said Burrows. In the summer, it's five. This is due to longer daylight hours and pedestrians wearing lighter clothing.
