Illinois Man Charged After SUV Collides with Truck on Highway 401

A resident of Illinois faces a charge of careless driving following a serious accident on Highway 401 in Middlesex County on January 1, 2024. The collision involved a sport utility vehicle (SUV) and a transport truck, prompting a swift response from emergency services.

At approximately 18:23, police, paramedics, and fire crews were dispatched to the eastbound lanes of Highway 401, just west of Dorchester Road in Thames Centre, after reports of the crash. According to a news release from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the SUV lost control and collided with the transport truck.

Three occupants from the SUV sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Initially, one individual was reported to have life-threatening injuries; however, their condition has since been updated to non-life-threatening.

In the aftermath of the collision, traffic was significantly affected. The eastbound lanes were closed at Westchester Bourne, with only one lane remaining open to facilitate the flow of traffic while emergency personnel worked to clear the scene and remove the vehicles involved.

As a result of the incident, a 51-year-old man from Illinois was charged with careless driving under the Highway Traffic Act. The police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, aiming to gather more details about the events leading up to the loss of control.

Authorities urge drivers to remain vigilant and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent such incidents in the future. As the investigation unfolds, further updates will be provided by the OPP.