Snowbank Hazards Trigger Multiple Highway Incidents Across Ontario
Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a series of alarming highway crashes where vehicles have mounted snowbanks, with one recent incident in Toronto capturing public attention through dramatic social media footage. These events underscore the persistent dangers posed by winter driving conditions following last month's record-setting snowstorm.
Toronto Overpass Crash Captured on Video
The collision occurred at the intersection of Highway 427 and Highway 401 shortly before 7 p.m. on Sunday, according to police reports. A vehicle traveling southbound on Highway 427 suddenly struck the right side of the overpass to Highway 401, causing it to become airborne.
The vehicle ramped up and over a concrete barrier, landing on a transport truck in the eastbound lanes of Highway 401 before coming to rest on its roof near the Eglinton Avenue exit. Remarkably, both individuals involved were transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Preliminary investigation by the OPP suggests that speed and accumulated snow may have been contributing factors in this dramatic collision. Videos of the incident quickly circulated on social media platforms, highlighting the extreme nature of the crash.
Niagara Falls Incident Highlights Icy Conditions
In a separate occurrence last week, emergency responders rescued a driver in Niagara Falls after their vehicle rolled over a highway guardrail. The incident happened on Friday morning when the driver lost control on icy roads while transitioning from the Queen Elizabeth Way southbound to Highway 420.
The vehicle struck snow on the shoulder, causing it to climb over the guardrail and become wedged in trees and bushes. This fortunate positioning prevented the vehicle from tumbling down the embankment onto the Toronto-bound QEW lanes below.
A 23-year-old female driver, who was the sole occupant, was rescued by witnesses who stopped to assist. She emerged from the incident without injuries, and police indicated she is not expected to face charges.
Tragic Kitchener Crash Claims Life
These recent incidents follow two separate crashes last week in Kitchener involving snowbanks along highway ramps, one of which proved fatal. In the first occurrence, a taxi driver mounted a snowbank-lined ramp while traveling from Highway 7 to Highway 8, landing on the highway below without injury.
Hours later, a 38-year-old Waterloo woman named Uyen Nguyen lost control on the same ramp. Her vehicle mounted the snowbank and launched over a concrete barrier before landing on Highway 8 below, resulting in her tragic death.
Police closed the highway until provincial contractors could clear the snow from the ramp, highlighting the ongoing maintenance challenges created by persistent winter conditions.
Police Warn of Unpredictable Winter Driving Conditions
The Ontario Provincial Police's Highway Safety Division has issued warnings about current driving conditions, stating on social media: "Unprecedented amounts of snowfall coupled with extremely frigid temperatures have created unpredictable and dynamic driving conditions this winter."
Authorities emphasize that drivers should be prepared for unexpected and changing road conditions as they navigate Ontario's highways during the winter months. The series of incidents serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly normal driving situations can become dangerous when winter elements are involved.
These crashes represent just a few examples of the hazardous situations developing across the province since last month's major snowstorm. As winter continues, both drivers and transportation authorities remain challenged by the ongoing need to balance mobility with safety in difficult conditions.
