Fatal Highway 401 Collision Near Cambridge: Detached Wheel from Van Leads to Multi-Vehicle Crash, Claims One Life

A fatal collision on Highway 401 near Cambridge, Ontario, claimed the life of a 39-year-old Toronto resident on Wednesday afternoon. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) reported that the accident occurred just before 2 p.m. and involved three vehicles: an SUV, a transport truck, and a van from which a wheel had detached. The incident unfolded in the eastbound lanes, prompting an emergency response and a lengthy road closure.

According to OPP investigators, the initial cause of the crash was a wheel detaching from a van traveling in the westbound lanes. This detached wheel crossed into the eastbound lanes, striking an SUV head-on. The impact of the collision forced the SUV into the path of a transport truck, resulting in significant damage to the SUV and the tragic death of its driver, a 39-year-old from Toronto. No other injuries were reported from the collision, as the drivers of the van and transport truck were not physically harmed.

In response to the accident, all eastbound lanes of Highway 401 between the Cambridge OnRoute service area and Highway 6 were closed. OPP’s Technical Collision Investigation (TCI) team arrived on the scene to gather evidence, reconstruct the incident, and assess potential causes related to vehicle maintenance and road safety. Sgt. Ted Donelmans of the OPP commented that the process would be extensive, with the TCI team meticulously examining all factors that may have contributed to the wheel detachment and subsequent collisions. The closure was expected to last between five to six hours, with the highway anticipated to reopen by around 11 p.m.

This accident has highlighted the potentially severe consequences of mechanical failures on busy highways and the importance of vehicle maintenance in preventing such tragedies. The investigation continues as officials work to determine all contributing factors, including any mechanical issues or negligence that may have led to the wheel’s detachment.