Police investigating after car strikes baby stroller in Montreal hit and run

Montreal police are investigating after a driver struck a baby in its stroller in a hit and run last week.

The incident, which occurred on Nov. 16, was captured bya nearby surveillance camera. Video and images have been circulating widely on social media.

The video shows the black vehicle driving northbound on Bloomfield Avenuein the Outremont borough around2:30 p.m. As it approachesthe intersection with Lajoie Avenue, the car doesn't slow down, despite stop signs and a woman crossing with a baby carriage.

The car appearsto speed up while the woman isstill crossing the intersection, striking the stroller directly. The baby, about a year old, was inside.

Raphal Bergeron, a spokesperson for the Montreal police, said the stroller was dragged for several metres before it came loose from the vehicle.

"The vehicle didn't stop and kept on going until it fledon Van Horne Avenue," he said.

WATCH | Vehicle speeds into stroller in Outremont:

Car strikes stroller in Outremont hit and run

2 years ago

Duration 0:29

A security camera captures the moment a car drives through a stop light and hits a stroller carrying a baby in Outremont.

The baby was taken to hospital and did not sustain any serious injuries. Montreal police are investigating the incident as a hit and run and are asking for the public's help to identify the driver.

Police are also reviewing nearby surveillance footage, he said.

Jacob Greenblatt, a longtime Outremont residentwho was walking down the street at the time of the event, said he felt "extremely disturbed" after seeing the intersection moments after the hit and run.

"When I arrived on the scene, the stroller was halfway across the block," he said. "It is very scary to see in a neighbourhood like this."

Public Security Minister Franois Bonnardel told reporters Wednesday that the situation was "horrible."

"There's an inquiry right now," he said."We'll see why this has happened and after that we will give some additional answers concerning this situation."

The Jewish Hasidic Council of Quebec (JHCQ)is urging the public to not jump to conclusions.

"The Council is reaffirmingits confidence in the impartiality and professionalism of the SPVM, which is in charge of the investigation," said Sam Muller ofthe JHCQin a news release Wednesday. "It will continue to follow the investigation closely and asks its members to co-operate with the competent authorities."

Montreal Mayor Valrie Plantesaid in atweet Wednesday that images of the driver accelerating toward the mother and baby are "incredibly violent" and called the incident "unacceptable."

But Jean-Pierre Brabant, a spokesperson for the Montreal police,confirmedWednesday afternoon it was ababysitter and not the baby's mother who was pushing the stroller.

In a tweet Tuesday night, Outremont MayorLaurent Desbois said he was "in shock" after seeing the video and is in touch with Montreal police.