Whitby, Ontario, witnessed a tragedy last night as a wrong-way collision on Highway 401 resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including an infant, according to Ontario’s police watchdog. The incident unfolded when a vehicle, fleeing from a robbery in Clarington, made its way onto the highway in the wrong direction, as per Durham police reports. Authorities responded to the robbery call at around 7:50 p.m., initiating a pursuit of the suspect vehicle that is now under investigation by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU).
Footage captured by a dashcam and shared with CP24 showcases a vehicle in the right lane maneuvering off the busy highway to evade an oncoming van, alongside a police cruiser with flashing lights tailing the van. Images from the crash scene, captured by motorists stuck in the aftermath, depicted a transport truck with significant damage to its front cab, emitting smoke in the vicinity. The full extent of the tragedy became apparent when police confirmed multiple fatalities from the collision on Monday night, although specifics about the deceased individuals were not immediately disclosed.
The SIU is set to release further information regarding its ongoing investigation later today. The collision prompted the closure of a section of Highway 401, spanning from exit 406 (Lake Ridge Road/County Road 23) to exit 410 (Brock Street/County Road 46) in Whitby, causing disruptions throughout the night into the morning commute. While some westbound lanes were reopened by 8 a.m., it wasn’t until 9:45 a.m. that the Ontario Provincial Police announced the complete reopening of the highway in both directions. The tragic aftermath of the wrong-way collision serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by reckless driving behaviors and the unpredictability of such incidents on major roadways.