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
U.K. prime minister calls national election for July 4
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a national election on Wednesday, naming July 4 as the date for a vote his governing Conservatives are widely expected to lose to the opposition Labour Party after 14 years in power.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.
Fish oil supplements may raise risk of stroke, heart issues, study suggests
As an excellent source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, daily fish oil supplements are a popular way to keep the risk of cardiovascular disease at bay.
Private island on Nova Scotia's South Shore listed for $15.8M
A private island on Nova Scotia’s South Shore has been listed for sale with a $11.5-million USD price tag.
DEVELOPING Blood vial delivery prompts evacuation of Republican headquarters in Washington
The headquarters of the Republican National Committee in Washington, D.C., was briefly evacuated on Wednesday morning after a suspicious package containing two vials of blood was delivered to the building, the police said.
'Happy tears' of victim's sister after prison attack on serial killer Robert Pickton
Cynthia Cardinal said she was 'overwhelmed' with happiness when she received a text message on Monday with the news that serial killer Robert Pickton, who murdered her sister, was attacked in prison. She called it 'karma.'
Montreal photographer captures dramatic Canada goose vs. fox fight on video
A Montreal photographer captured the moment a Canada goose defended itself from a fox at the Botanical Garden.
World's most expensive feather sells at New Zealand auction
A feather from a long-extinct New Zealand bird has set a record after selling for $46,521 NZD (about US$28,400), the auction house handling the sale has said.
Interpol says more than 1,500 stolen Canadian vehicles identified since February
Interpol says more than 200 stolen Canadian vehicles have been found each week across the globe since February.