A serious multi-vehicle collision forced the complete closure of all eastbound express lanes on Highway 401 in Pickering on Wednesday morning, resulting in two people being rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Crash Details and Emergency Response
The incident occurred in the early hours of December 24, 2025. According to initial reports, the crash involved a transport truck and at least one other vehicle. Emergency crews, including paramedics and Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), responded swiftly to the scene near Brock Road.
The driver of the transport truck sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to a Toronto-area trauma centre. A second individual, whose connection to the collision was not immediately specified, was also taken to hospital with serious, potentially life-threatening injuries.
Major Traffic Disruption and Cleanup
The severity of the crash and the subsequent investigation led authorities to shut down all eastbound express lanes for several hours. This caused significant traffic delays during the morning commute, with motorists being diverted to the collector lanes. Cleanup crews worked extensively to clear wreckage and fluids from the roadway.
OPP's Technical Collision Investigation team was on site to determine the cause of the crash. While the express lanes have since reopened to traffic, the investigation into the precise circumstances leading to the collision is ongoing.
Ongoing Investigation and Safety Reminders
Police have not released further details regarding potential charges or the exact sequence of events. The reopening of the lanes was confirmed later in the day once the scene was deemed safe and evidence collection was complete.
This incident serves as a stark reminder for all motorists, especially during the busy holiday travel period, to exercise extreme caution on highways. Factors such as weather conditions, driver fatigue, and speed are often contributors to serious collisions.
The OPP continues to investigate and is asking any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage of the area around the time of the crash to come forward.
