The family of an 18-year-old male who died while fleeing police this week claims Toronto Police officers may be responsible for the tragedy and they want answers.

“It’s not right that someone’s life, at such a young age, should be taken away,” said Louisa Manon, speaking Friday through an interpreter, about her son.

Junior Alexander Manon, 18 -- described by sister Amanda as a charming young man -- died on Wednesday following a routine traffic stop near York University.

The Special Investigations Unit, which has a mandate to investigate cases in which someone dies while in contact with police, is probing the death and an autopsy has been conducted to find out why the young man died.

On Friday, about 50 family and friends protested out front of the coroner’s court and marched to Toronto police headquarters. Some the protestors carried placards that overtly blamed police officers for the death.

One sign read: "Police got a licence to kill; we got a right to resist."

Family lawyer Selwyn Peters said that he had a chance to inspect Manon’s body, which showed signs of a struggle.

“We did have a chance to see the body this morning. There was blood all over, he had a neck brace on and his eyes were black and blue,” he said.

The details of what happened haven't been fully determined.

However, it is believed that police stopped a car Wednesday night in the city’s north end on Steeles Avenue West, and two people fled from the vehicle. Why they did so isn't clear.

The officers gave chase, and there was some sort of “interaction” with the males at Founders Road near York University, investigators say. It isn’t yet known why the two males fled police after they were pulled over.

Manon collapsed and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died.

Initially, it was reported that Manon died of cardiac arrest. The family doesn't believe it, and one friend has said Manon didn't have any known chronic medical problems.

“These are very serious claims, but at this point there’s very little evidence to back it up,” said CTV Toronto’s John Musselman. “It will be up to an autopsy and possible toxicology reports.”

The SIU probably won't release the cause of death until the end of its investigation, which could take more than one month to complete.

Manon's family and friends were to hold a candlelight vigil on Friday night at the spot where he died.

With a report from CTV Toronto's John Musselman