Fatalities reported after wrong-way crash on Highway 401: police
Ontario's Special Investigations Unit has been called in following a deadly wrong-way collision on Highway 401 in Whitby on Monday night, say police.
Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) said that at about 7:50 p.m. they were called to a robbery near Green Road and Highway 2 in Clarington.
"The suspect fled in a vehicle which was pursued by police. During the pursuit, the suspect vehicle entered onto 401 going the wrong direction," DRPS wrote in a statement provided to CP24.
"A multi-vehicle collision occurred as well as fatalities."
The number of people injured or killed in the collision, which occurred just east of the Highway 412 interchange, is unknown at this time. Several emergency vehicles, however, can be seen on MTO camera footage at the scene.
It's also unclear how many vehicles were involved in the collision, which happened in the eastbound lanes of Highway 401.
Highway 401 closed in both directions, 412 ramp also blocked
As a result of the crash, Highway 401 has been shut down in both directions from exit 406 (Lake Ridge Road/County Road 23) to exit 410 (Brock Street/County Road 46).
The ramp from the southbound 412 to eastbound 401 is also blocked at this time due to the collision.
In a video posted on social media, Sgt. Kerry Schmidt, of the OPP, said that he expects heavy delays approaching the closures and urged motorists to use Victoria Street to the south and Highway 2 to the north as alternate routes.
"I expect that this collision recontruction will take most of the overnight hours and potentially into the morning rush hours as well," he said.
"Expect delays. Expect congestion in the area."
A serious collision on April 29 closed Highway 401 in Whitby in both directions. (Sheba Siddiqui/photo)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
Banking mogul suing government after intelligence leaks leave him shut out of Canadian economy
Chinese Canadian banking mogul Shenglin Xian has launched a $300 million lawsuit against the federal government. It’s a means to find the source of intelligence leaks which Xian says has cost him his livelihood.
Jesus is their savior, Trump is their candidate. Ex-president's backers say he shares faith, values
As Donald Trump increasingly infuses his campaign with Christian trappings while coasting to a third Republican presidential nomination, his support is as strong as ever among evangelicals and other conservative Christians.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.
Hundreds walk backwards in downtown Montreal to symbolize the decline of LGBTQ2S+ rights
On Friday, hundreds gathered and walked backwards in the heart of Montreal to honour the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
His SUV was stolen on Montreal's South Shore. Then he got a $156 parking ticket
A couple is frustrated after their SUV was stolen from Montreal's South Shore in March and they received a parking ticket for the same vehicle last week.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.