August 10, 2025 - An aspiring Toronto cinematographer, Samuel Willetts, 28, that was struck by the driver of a Dodge Ram pickup truck while riding his e-bike near Gerrard and Church streets died from his injuries on July 31 reports the Toronto Star.
The driver operating the Dodge Ram travelling south on Church Street was a 57-year-old man police say, as they continue to investigate the crash and have asked people to provide any security or dashcam footage they may have.
“He just didn’t have time to reach his zenith,” his mother, Gaylene McCutcheon, told The Star about her son who was a lighting technician in the Film and TV industry in Toronto and also made several short films.
According to the Toronto Community Bikeways Coalition, “We are saddened to hear about the 28-year-old cyclist who died on Thursday, July 31 from the injuries of a crash that happened on Friday, July 18 at Church and Gerrard Streets. We don’t know the facts of this tragedy, but the crash raises some more general road safety questions.
“The first is the lack of protection of bike lanes as they approach (and cross) intersections as is currently the case with Gerrard. The second is large SUV’s and pickup trucks – including the silver Dodge Ram involved in the crash – are heavier, have larger blind spots, and are considerably more likely to kill vulnerable road users. Something highlighted in an April 2024 report by the Coalition to Reduce Auto Size Hazards (CRASH) which we are part of.
“Finally, such fatal crashes could happen more often if the Ontario Court of Appeal overturns last week’s court ruling stopping the bike lane removals on Bloor, Yonge, and University or if the Ford government resorts to using the notwithstanding clause.”
A Ghost Bike Memorial for Samuel Willetts is planned for Sept. 20 beginning at Matt Cohen Parkette – more details here.
Read more in the Toronto Star here.
