Vehicles plunge from flyover
Rob Gibson – Jan 28, 2026 / 10:12 am | Story: 596582
Photo: CTV NEWS
A police officer looks into a car that went off the Highway 8 flyover in Kitchener, Ont. on Jan. 26, 2026.
Concerns are being voiced after two vehicles fell off the side of the Highway 8 flyover in Kitchener, Ont. on Monday, resulting in one driver’s death.
According to the Ontario Provincial Police, the initial crash occurred early in the morning and involved a taxi that fell off the elevated ramp. The driver managed to survive, and the highway was temporarily closed for an investigation before reopening after discussions with the Ministry of Transportation.
A little over two hours later, a second vehicle also left the flyover, tragically killing a 38-year-old woman from Waterloo. Authorities indicate that while driving lanes were cleared and salted, there were snowbanks accumulating along the shoulders and near the edge of the structure.
The OPP stated that this fatal accident is still under investigation. This includes checks on mechanical aspects of the vehicle as well as environmental and human factors. Officers mentioned that although travel lanes were fine, snow piles lining the shoulders can create hazards if drivers lose control.
“The road conditions were in good shape,” OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt told. “There was obviously snow on the shoulder – I don’t think it would be reasonable to shut down a ramp when it’s a perfectly good, plowed, salted ramp. Even after the snow system, the plows are going through there; they’re pushing the snow off of the travel lanes to get those lanes open, which is exactly what we need.”
Crews worked for hours Monday night to clear away snowbanks from the flyover. The Ministry of Transportation has stated it will review winter maintenance efforts at that time and will take into account findings from the police inquiry.
A personal injury lawyer raised concerns about whether more snow clearing should have taken place following the first incident.
-with files from Kitchener
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