OPP continue to investigate latest Highway 7 crash

By Erin Anderson

A devastating week on Highway 7 continues. 

It began Tuesday when a 40-year-old cyclist was fatally struck in the morning hours – and late yesterday, a head-on crash shut down the roadway between Shantz Station Road and Fountain Street.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt tells The Mike Farwell Show on 570 NEWS it happened around 5:30 p.m. 

“There was a westbound vehicle that for some unknown reason drifted across into oncoming lanes, pushing one vehicle off onto the shoulder – and colliding head-on with another eastbound vehicle. Both vehicles were severely damaged, the woman in the westbound vehicle suffered life threatening injuries as a result of this crash.” 

Highway 7 was shut down for several hours, but has since reopened.

Schmidt says the cause of the crash remains under investigation.

“We still don't know if it was a medical event, or if any type of distraction or impairment was involved.”

No other details – including the drivers' identities – have been released at this time. 

When it comes to Highway 7, Schmidt admits it is a very busy, narrow roadway.

“It's a major artery between two communities – but it's well marked, well paved, and well signed. The crashes we've investigated this week have been during the daytime with no visibility or weather issues contributing. There was no construction in the area either, so none of these factors seem to be factors in these crashes – it really comes down to the driver and the condition of the vehicles.”

Meantime, Former PC Transportation Critic, Michael Harris also told the Mike Farewell Show that safety needs to be improved on the highway, “we know that it is a regular occurrence, good weather or bad, that people but their lives at risk travelling down that highway.”

“The means are there to justify the work getting done. I hope that it is continuing to at least meet that target date of completion for 2021,” said Harris.

 

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