Investigations continue after fatal flyover crash, OPP cite possible driver error
Posted Jan 27, 2026 09:47:10 AM.
Last Updated Jan 28, 2026 10:59:09 AM.
Investigations through Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) are continuing following a pair of crashes on the flyover in Kitchener, one of which led to the death of a Waterloo woman.
The MTO said it is “reviewing winter maintenance operations” following circumstances that led to the crashes, while OPP has provided an update on their investigations, now pointing to driver error as a possible contributing factor.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by these incidents,” said the MTO in response to a request from 570 NewsRadio.
A 38-year-old Waterloo woman was travelling on the southbound ramp from Highway 7 West to the eastbound lanes of Highway 8 on Monday morning when she lost control of her vehicle, went up a snow embankment, over the concrete barrier, and landed on the highway below.
She was pronounced dead at the scene. A GoFundMe page has since been started, saying that it’s hoping to raise funds in her honour.
OPP officers who responded to the scene noted that the road conditions, specifically the snow that had been piled onto the shoulder of the ramp, played a role in the vehicle being launched onto the highway below.
“The snow and the road conditions obviously played a factor in this collision, and we’re going to continue to work with the road maintenance contractors and the MTO to make sure that situation is remedied,” said OPP Sergeant Kerry Schmidt in a post on Monday afternoon.
In response to this incident, the MTO noted that they’re “reviewing winter maintenance operations at the time of the incidents and will review findings of the police investigation, when available.”
The woman’s vehicle was the second to be launched from the highway ramp on Monday morning.
At around 2 a.m., a taxi cab fell from the expressway ramp onto the highway below, landing on its roof, resulting in injuries to the driver.
The taxi company, City Cabs, has since told 570 NewsRadio that it will be conducting its own investigation using the material it has at its disposal.
“As with incidents of this nature, there are typically multiple factors involved, and we’ll defer to the OPP’s investigation before drawing conclusions. In parallel, we will be conducting our own internal review, including checks of in-car footage, GPS data, and speed information.”
Following that incident, the ramp was closed for an investigation; however, the snow wasn’t removed from the shoulder, and the ramp reopened around 5 a.m.
After the fatal collision at 7:30 a.m., snow removal crews were brought in, with the stretch of roadway closed for over 12 hours on Monday. The flyover was reopened in time for the Tuesday morning commute, with the snow removed.
OPP pointing to possible driver error
OPP provided an update on their investigations on Tuesday afternoon, with Sgt. Kerry Schmidt is pointing to possible driver error as a contributing factor in the collisions.
He said the snow acted like a ramp after the drivers lost control and that the flyover traffic lanes were clear at the time of both crashes.
“The roads were in good shape, obviously snow on the shoulders, but the highways themselves had been plowed, had been salted, and traffic had been getting through there throughout the weekend.”
Schmidt called the outcome of the fatal collision “absolutely tragic” and said it highlights the importance of adjusting driving in the winter.
“Unfortunately, the driver of that second vehicle lost control, entered the shoulder, and ultimately ended up going over the wall.”
He also addressed questions on whether the flyover should have been closed to traffic, but said most drivers were able to navigate it.
“We’re not gonna close the highway because there’s snow on the shoulder,” Schmidt said. “The lanes themselves were in a condition that was manageable for vehicles.”
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