Young girl killed last summer while crossing street

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The life of a popular seven-year-old girl who was run down while riding her bike on her quiet Scarborough street will be remembered for years to come through an annual soccer tournament and police traffic safety initiative.

Saddened by the loss of a young starlet and a key cog to his Malvern Soccer Association house league Lightning squad, coach Emerson Larmond approached club executives earlier this year about the prospect of hosting a tournament in memory of Victoria.

His idea was met with overwhelming approval from the association and planning began in earnest.

Now, less than a year removed from Victoria's untimely death, her friends and family are preparing for the first installment of the Victoria Jones Memorial.

Larmond, who currently coaches Victoria's four siblings, said the Aug. 16 tournament at Malvern Community Centre will take in the local soccer association's house league players this year, but plans are underway to broaden its boundaries to include other Toronto clubs for next year.

"I'm hoping this (tournament) shows the kids what kind of precautions they should be taking when they are out there," said the coach with Malvern for four years. "And at the same time, this is to remember Victoria and the passion she showed for the game."

"The thing I remember most about Victoria, she was a very passionate player, one of the best players on my boys team," he said. "She had this drive about her, she was a tremendous athlete."

Victoria was struck by a van while riding her bike through a crosswalk in the Warden and Sheppard avenues area Aug. 28, 2007.

Media at the time reported that the driver, a 41-year-old man who wasn't charged, remained at the scene until police arrived.

Sgt. Tim Burrows of the Toronto Police Traffic Services Unit said cyclist fatalities involving vehicles in Toronto remains consistent with the one death that occurred at this time last year.

However there have been 17 pedestrian deaths involving motor vehicles so far this year, six more than last year at this time.

"What we are finding is that in a lot of these cases the pedestrian is not taking an extra look before stepping out onto the street."