A Toronto family has filed a lawsuit against the City of Toronto, the Province of Ontario, and a driver after their 15-year-old son suffered life-altering injuries when he was struck by a vehicle at a school crosswalk on March 25, 2026. The statement of claim, filed in Superior Court on September 3, 2026, alleges the collision occurred at a dangerous crossing where an automated speed camera had been removed just four months earlier.
What Happened to Elijah Adebayo
The incident took place at approximately 2:35 p.m. at the intersection of Humber Boulevard North and Louvain Street, directly in front of St. Oscar Romero Catholic Secondary School in northwest Toronto. According to the statement of claim, the defendant, Othman Mahmood, crashed into Elijah Adebayo, causing him to sustain serious personal injuries.
The teen’s injuries are described in court documents as “permanent serious disfigurement” and “permanent serious impairment.” These include a traumatic brain injury, loss of vision in his right eye due to traumatic optic neuropathy, multiple skull fractures including fractures to the bilateral temporal bones, and a comminuted fracture of his left femoral shaft that required surgical nailing.
Elijah also suffered abdominal trauma and faces long-term cognitive and psychological impacts from the collision. His parents and siblings are also listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit, seeking damages under Ontario’s Family Law Act.
Speed Camera Removal Timeline
Central to the family’s lawsuit is the removal of an Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) camera from the school zone intersection. According to court documents, the camera was installed at the crossing in April 2025 and operated until November 14, 2025.
The camera was shut down after the province repealed the legislation that allowed municipalities to operate speed cameras. By the end of November 2025, the camera had been physically removed from the location.
The lawsuit alleges that neither the city nor the province installed any replacement safety measures during the four months between the camera’s removal and Elijah’s injury. This happened despite what the claim describes as repeated resident complaints about speeding and unsafe student walking routes in the area.
“They failed to install… any replacement protective infrastructure or measure to address speeding and pedestrian-safety hazard.”
Known High-Risk Intersection
The lawsuit argues that the intersection was already recognized as hazardous for students before the collision. The city had previously taken steps to address safety concerns at the location, including lowering the speed limit to 40 km/h and designating the area as a Community Safety Zone.
These designations acknowledge the heightened risk to pedestrians, particularly students walking to and from school. Community Safety Zones allow for doubled fines for speeding violations, reflecting the serious nature of traffic safety concerns in these areas.
The decision to install an automated speed camera at the intersection in April 2025 further demonstrates that authorities were aware of the ongoing speeding problems. However, the provincial decision to repeal the enabling legislation left the intersection without this enforcement tool.
City of Toronto Response
In a statement to media outlets, the City of Toronto expressed sympathy for Elijah and his family while defending its broader approach to road safety. Russell Baker, Director of Communications, emphasized that speed cameras were just one component of the city’s comprehensive safety strategy.
“Our hearts are with the teen and his family. While speed cameras helped reduce speeding, the City of Toronto continues to prioritize the safety of all road users through other measures in the Vision Zero program.”
Baker outlined several safety tools the city continues to deploy, including Community and School Safety Zones, safety signage, pavement markings, pedestrian head start signals, and red-light cameras. These measures form part of Toronto’s Vision Zero strategy aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
Safety Measures at School Location
According to city officials, several School Safety Zone features were installed at St. Oscar Romero Catholic Secondary School in 2025. These included “Watch Your Speed” radar boards and flashing beacons designed to alert drivers to the presence of students and encourage compliance with speed limits.
The school zone is also designated as a Community Safety Zone, which allows for doubled fines when drivers are caught speeding. However, the lawsuit contends these measures were insufficient to replace the deterrent effect of the automated speed enforcement camera.
The City declined to comment on the specific allegations in the lawsuit, noting that the matter is currently before the courts. The Province of Ontario was served with the statement of claim on September 8, 2026.
What This Means for School Zone Safety
This case highlights ongoing debates about traffic safety infrastructure in Canadian cities, particularly around schools. For families in the Latin community and across Toronto, the lawsuit raises important questions about how municipalities balance enforcement tools with other safety measures.
The removal of automated speed enforcement cameras following provincial legislative changes has affected school zones throughout Ontario. This case could set important precedents for municipal liability when safety infrastructure is removed or reduced.
Parents and community members concerned about traffic safety near schools should be aware of existing safety measures in their areas. Understanding the designation of Community Safety Zones and School Safety Zones can help families make informed decisions about walking routes and safety precautions.
Legal Process Ahead
The lawsuit seeks compensation for Elijah’s injuries as well as damages for his family members under Ontario’s Family Law Act. The statement of claim names multiple defendants: the driver Othman Mahmood, the City of Toronto, and the Province of Ontario.
Each defendant faces different allegations. The driver is accused of direct responsibility for striking Elijah. The city and province are accused of failing to maintain adequate safety protections at a known high-risk school-zone crossing after removing the speed camera.
This type of multi-defendant lawsuit can take considerable time to work through the court system. The involvement of government entities often adds complexity to legal proceedings, as municipalities and provinces typically have resources to mount comprehensive defenses.
Community Impact and Awareness
For Toronto’s Latin community and all residents, this case serves as a reminder about pedestrian safety near schools. Parents should discuss safe crossing practices with their children and remain vigilant about traffic conditions in school zones.
Community members who have concerns about speeding or unsafe conditions near schools can report these issues to their local councillor’s office or through the city’s traffic safety reporting channels. Documenting concerns creates a record that can support future safety improvements.
The outcome of this lawsuit may influence how municipalities across Ontario approach school zone safety in the future. Community advocacy remains an important tool for ensuring that local governments prioritize pedestrian protection, especially for vulnerable populations like students.
What injuries did Elijah Adebayo sustain in the collision?
According to the statement of claim, Elijah suffered a traumatic brain injury, loss of vision in his right eye, multiple skull fractures including bilateral temporal bone fractures, a comminuted fracture of his left femoral shaft requiring surgery, abdominal trauma, and long-term cognitive and psychological impacts.
When was the speed camera removed from the intersection?
The Automated Speed Enforcement camera was shut down on November 14, 2025, and was physically removed by the end of November 2025. This was approximately four months before Elijah was struck on March 25, 2026.
What safety measures were in place at the time of the collision?
The school zone had a 40 km/h speed limit, Community Safety Zone designation with doubled fines, “Watch Your Speed” radar boards, and flashing beacons. However, the automated speed enforcement camera had been removed months earlier.
The Province of Ontario was served with the statement of claim on September 8, 2026. As the case proceeds through Superior Court, both the city and province will have opportunities to file their formal responses to the allegations. The legal proceedings are expected to continue through 2027 as all parties prepare their cases.
