CALL 24/7A 53-year-old woman has died after being struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross Tecumseh Road East in Windsor Thursday night. Her death marks yet another fatal pedestrian collision on a road where multiple pedestrians have been killed in recent years.
Windsor Police Investigate Fatal Pedestrian Collision Near Central Avenue
Windsor police responded to a crash near Central Avenue and Tecumseh Road East on October 8, 2026, shortly before 10 p.m. According to a CBC News report, a preliminary investigation found that the woman was crossing the road mid-block when an oncoming vehicle struck her.
The woman was pronouncd dead at the scene. The driver remained at the scene.
Tecumseh Road East was closed in both directions between Central Avenue and Westcott Road to allow Windsor Police Traffic Reconstruction Unit to investigate and attend the scene. The road has since reopened.
The investigation remains ongoing. Police are asking witnesses — or anyone who has dashcam or other video footage — to contact the Traffic Enforcement Unit at 519-255-6700, ext. 7032.
Another Fatal Pedestrian Collision on Tecumseh Road East in Less Than Two Weeks
Tecumseh Road has a troubling history of fatal pedestrian and cyclist collisions over the last several years. In 2023 CBC news reported that eight of the 20 fatal pedestrian or cyclist collisions recorded in Windsor from January 2018 through June 2023 occurred on Tecumseh Road, based on police data covering the full length of the road.
Pedestrian Killed During Street Racing Incident
This most recent pedestrian collision on October 8 happened less than two weeks after a 62-year-old pedestrian was killed at Tecumseh Road East and Princess Avenue on September 27. In that incident, police discovered two vehicles were street racing when one of the drivers struck a man who was crossing the road. Both drivers fled the scene.
Another pedestrian died in a separate collision on Riverside Drive West on October 4
Police Investigation Into Thursday’s Crash Continues
Police are still investigating what may have caused the October 8 collision. In comments reported by AM800, police remind motorists to:
- Obey speed limits
- Avoid distractions
- Allow enough time to react to changing traffic conditions
Who Has the Right of Way When a Pedestrian Crosses Mid-Block in Ontario?
Pedestrians do not always have the right of way when crossing outside a designated crossing or intersection. In a recent Under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, the rules depend on where and how the person crosses. Pedestrians should always check that traffic has stopped before stepping into the road — even at designated crossing areas. Pedestrians may have a duty to yield to vehicles in certain circumstances.
That does not automatically make a pedestrian responsible for a collision, however. Drivers must still use reasonable care, keep a proper lookout and respond appropriately to hazards on the road. Whether a driver or pedestrian was at fault depends on the circumstances, including the driver’s speed, visibility, reaction time and actions before impact.
Drivers Must Still Watch for Pedestrians
Drivers have a responsibility to pay attention to the road and adjust their driving to the conditions. Limited visibility at night can make pedestrians harder to see, particularly on busy roads or in poorly lit areas. Drivers should travel at a safe speed, stay alert and watching the road ahead and be prepared to respond to people who may enter their path.
Speed, driver distractions, lighting and braking may all be relevant when investigators determine how a collision happened and whether the driver took reasonable care.
How Shared Fault Can Affect a Pedestrian Injury Claim
Ontario law allows fault to be shared between a pedestrian and a driver. Under the province’s contributory negligence rules, a person’s compensation may be reduced in proportion to their share of responsibility for the collision.
For example, crossing mid-block may be a factor in determining a pedestrian’s share of fault. But if a driver was speeding, distracted or failed to react appropriately, the driver may also be found responsible. The facts and evidence determine how fault is allocated.
What Evidence Can Help Explain a Nighttime Pedestrian Collision?
Evidence from the scene can help investigators determine how a collision happened. Some evidence, including surveillance footage, may be lost if it is not preserved promptly.
Depending on the circumstances, relevant evidence may include:
- Vehicle speed and braking: Physical evidence from the roadway and vehicle damage may help investigators assess speed, braking and the sequence of events.
- Lighting and visibility: Streetlights, vehicle headlights, weather and other conditions may help establish what the driver could reasonably have seen.
- Vehicle data: The event data recorders (EDRs) in many vehicles today store information about speed, braking and other operations before a collision.
- Video footage: Dashcams, nearby businesses and residential cameras may capture the collision or the moments leading up to it.
- Witness accounts: Witnesses may provide information about the vehicle’s speed, the pedestrian’s movements and surrounding traffic conditions.
- Collision reconstruction: Police reconstruction specialists may document the scene, examine physical evidence and analyze how the collision occurred.
What Can Family Members Claim After a Fatal Pedestrian Collision?
When a person dies because of another party’s fault or negligence, certain family members may be entitled to bring a wrongful death claim under Ontario’s Family Law Act. Eligible relatives include a spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters.
Depending on the circumstances, a claim may include compensation for:
- Funeral expenses: Reasonable funeral costs actually incurred.
- Financial losses: Eligible financial support or other pecuniary losses resulting from the death.
- Loss of guidance, care and companionship: Compensation for the loss of the relationship and support family members could reasonably have expected to receive.
Eligibility and the losses that may be recovered depend on the circumstances and the evidence supporting the claim.
Can the Estate Bring a Separate Claim?
The deceased person’s estate may also have a claim under Ontario’s Trustee Act for certain losses arising before death. Depending on the circumstances, these may include medical expenses, lost income and damages for pain and suffering experienced before death.
When a person dies at the scene, there may be few or no pre-death losses to claim through the estate. The estate’s claim and eligible family members’ claims are separate, and the damages available under each can differ. Time limits apply, so families should obtain legal advice about their options.
Legal Help for Families After a Fatal Pedestrian Collision in Windsor
Losing a family member in a pedestrian vs motor vehicle crash is devastating for families left facing the aftermath while trying to get answers to difficult questions. Simultaneously making decisions about a loved one’s funeral, managing the unexpected costs, and seeking answers about how the collision happened can be overwhelming.
At Greg Monforton & Partners, we help individuals and families in Windsor and thoughout Essex County every day. In over 45 years of representing injured victims, our compassionate and skilled car accident lawyers in Windsor want to help you understand your legal options after serious collisions.
Worried about the cost of hiring a lawyer? Don’t be. We take injury cases on contingency, which means there are no upfront legal fees to pay. We only get paid if you do.
Call Greg Monforton & Partners at (866) 320-4770 to discuss your family’s circumstances and potential legal options.
