20-year-old Indian student dies in Canada after being hit and dragged by a truck

Toronto:

A 20-year-old Indian student was killed after being hit and dragged by a pickup truck while crossing a road here on a bicycle, according to a media report.

While police have not yet identified the victim, in a report published Friday, the cbc.ca news website quoted the victim’s cousin, Parveen Saini, as saying that Kartik Saini came to Canada from India in August 2021.

Parveen Saini spoke from Karnal, Haryana, where their family is from, the report said.

The family hopes that Kartik’s body will be sent to India for a proper burial as soon as possible, Parveen said.

Sheridan College has confirmed that Kartik was a student there, the report said.

“Our community is deeply saddened by Kartik’s sudden death. We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and professors,” the college said in an email Friday.

According to police, the fatal collision occurred at about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday night at the intersection of Yonge Street and St Clair Avenue.

The cyclist died after being hit and dragged by a pickup truck in the city center, it said in a press release Thursday.

Emergency services tried to free and resuscitate the cyclist, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Toronto Police spokesman Constable Laura Brabant said the investigation into the collision is ongoing.

“Determining whether or not charges have been filed takes time, as investigators must first conduct a full investigation,” Brabant said, adding, “This takes time and is not a rushed process.” A makeshift monument has now been erected at the site of the collision.

A group called Advocacy For Respect For Cyclists is organizing a ride in Kartik’s honor on November 30.

The contestants meet at Matt Cohen Park at Bloor Street and Spadina Avenue. The ride ends with a ghost bike being placed at the scene of the crash.