Karthiha Guruparan was a month shy of graduating with a business degree from the University of Toronto Scarborough. She wanted to be a chartered accountant.
On March 24, the 23-year-old was on her way home from school when she was hit by a speeding minivan as she crossed at the intersection of Sheppard Avenue and Murison Boulevard, police say.
She suffered head trauma and died shortly after at Sunnybrook Hospital.
“We had so many plans after graduation,” a friend of Guruparan’s said. “Just a second … took a promising life, a person who’s radiant and has so many opportunities ahead of her.”
The van that struck her, a 2002 Dodge Caravan driven by a 33-year-old Markham man, was going 100km/h in a 60km/h zone, police said.
“It was a huge shock for her parents,” the friend said. “This doesn’t happen to someone you know. This kind of stuff happens to people on the news.”
Drugs and alcohol are not involved in the case, police said.
“At first I didn’t think it was as serious as it turned out to be,” the friend said. “As we kept getting updates, we found it was very serious and she was on life support.
“When we reached the [hospital] her cousin called us saying she was passing away.”
There are conflicting reports whether Guruparan crossed on a red light or not.
According to InsideToronto, Guruparan’s dad, Guruparan Balasubramaniam, said he’s “200 per cent sure” his daughter wouldn’t cross on a red light.
UTSC is planning a special memorial to take place at a later date, said Desmond Pouyat, dean of student affairs.
so were there charges filed? 20 miles over the speed limit is still 20 miles over the speed limit… thats quite alot.