According to the OPP, the drivers involved in two vehicles that went over a snowbank in Kitchener, Ont., “likely” weren’t driving suitably for the weather conditions, which caused them to lose control.
OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt mentioned in an interview that even with the snow present on the sides of the Highway 7/8 flyover, the road conditions were actually quite good.
“The roads were plowed, they were salted and they were in as good condition as you could have barring the snowstorm that we were dealing with,” Schmidt said Wednesday.
“In both cases, it appears that the drivers likely weren’t adjusting their driving to fit the conditions on the overpass. They lost control and ended up on the shoulder, which was covered with snow, leading them to go over the wall.”
On Monday, police reported that two different vehicles had driven off over the embankment.
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The first incident involved a cab driver whose vehicle went over a snowbank around 2 a. m., but fortunately, he wasn’t injured.
The OPP and Ministry of Transportation officials temporarily closed off the area for investigation but later reopened it.
![Click to play video: 'Roughly 50 vehicles involved in multiple collisions on Highway 401: OPP']()
0:33 Roughly 50 vehicles involved in multiple collisions on Highway 401: OPP
Schmidt informed us on Wednesday that both MTO and OPP are considering all relevant factors.
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“We look at human factors, mechanical factors, environmental factors-everything related,” he explained. “Those are definitely aspects we want to include or rule out. What kind of tires? Was traction control functioning? Was there any issue with vehicle maintenance? … That’s what we’re currently trying to figure out.”
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We reached out to MTO for comments regarding these incidents but didn’t receive any response before publication time.
Sgt. Schmidt also pointed out that many other vehicles managed safely through that stretch during both night and morning hours. He described those two incidents as exceptions rather than common occurrences.
“No buses or tractor-trailers or cars or SUVs had trouble navigating through,” he noted. “I can’t say how many hundreds or thousands of cars would have driven down that ramp during those hours leading up to these events.”
This past Monday Schmidt added that while plows worked through during snowfall events; unfortunately they couldn’t push snow from an overpass directly off its edge because it would land on highways below it.
The officer reminded motorists traveling across overpasses or highways after snowfall conditions should keep in mind it’s wet and slippery which can pose dangers. He emphasized how snowy weather can make overpasses more hazardous due to ice buildup so it’s important for drivers take extra care when navigating turns during such times.
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Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines delivered to your inbox once a day. A few hours later, police reported that another vehicle lost control and slid over a snowbank onto the road below. In this case, authorities confirmed that a 36-year-old woman from Waterloo, Ont., was pronounced dead at the scene. The ramp was again closed while an investigation took place. The inquiry into this fatal crash is still ongoing.
0:33 Roughly 50 vehicles involved in multiple collisions on Highway 401: OPP
Schmidt informed us on Wednesday that both MTO and OPP are considering all relevant factors.
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“We look at human factors, mechanical factors, environmental factors-everything related,” he explained. “Those are definitely aspects we want to include or rule out. What kind of tires? Was traction control functioning? Was there any issue with vehicle maintenance? … That’s what we’re currently trying to figure out.”
Story continues below
We reached out to MTO for comments regarding these incidents but didn’t receive any response before publication time.
Sgt. Schmidt also pointed out that many other vehicles managed safely through that stretch during both night and morning hours. He described those two incidents as exceptions rather than common occurrences.
“No buses or tractor-trailers or cars or SUVs had trouble navigating through,” he noted. “I can’t say how many hundreds or thousands of cars would have driven down that ramp during those hours leading up to these events.”
This past Monday Schmidt added that while plows worked through during snowfall events; unfortunately they couldn’t push snow from an overpass directly off its edge because it would land on highways below it.
The officer reminded motorists traveling across overpasses or highways after snowfall conditions should keep in mind it’s wet and slippery which can pose dangers. He emphasized how snowy weather can make overpasses more hazardous due to ice buildup so it’s important for drivers take extra care when navigating turns during such times.
More updates
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