Tragic Early Morning Crash Claims Life of Ottawa Man on Highway 7
A 44-year-old man from Ottawa has died following a devastating multi-vehicle collision on Highway 7 west of Perth in the early hours of Saturday morning. The fatal incident occurred just before 1 a.m. and involved a minivan, a flatbed tow truck, and an eastbound passenger car.
Sequence of Events Leading to Fatal Collision
According to Ontario Provincial Police, the chain of events began when a minivan left the roadway and became stuck in a snow-filled ditch. A tow truck operator had arrived at the scene and was preparing to free the stranded vehicle when tragedy struck.
An eastbound car traveling on Highway 7 collided with both the disabled minivan and the tow truck that was positioned to assist. The driver of the minivan, who had been standing near his vehicle at the time, was also struck during the impact.
Aftermath and Investigation Details
The driver of the eastbound car was transported to hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Police have not yet released the identity of the 44-year-old Ottawa man pending notification of next of kin.
Miraculously, the tow truck operator and all six occupants of the car involved in the collision escaped without injury. The crash prompted authorities to close Highway 7 between Highway 511 and Glen Tay Road overnight as investigators examined the scene.
Police Seeking Witnesses and Information
Lanark County OPP are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash. Investigators are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has relevant information to come forward.
Police are particularly interested in speaking with individuals who may have dashcam footage of the incident or the events leading up to it. Witnesses are asked to contact Lanark OPP at 1-888-310-1122 and reference incident number E260168093.
The closure of Highway 7 caused significant disruption to traffic in the area throughout Saturday morning as police conducted their investigation. The stretch between Highway 511 and Glen Tay Road remained closed for several hours while authorities worked to clear the scene and gather evidence.
This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers present on Ontario highways, particularly during winter conditions when visibility may be reduced and road surfaces can be treacherous. The investigation into the exact cause of the crash continues as authorities work to determine all contributing factors.
