A horrific nine-vehicle crash at Bloor Street East and Ritson Road South in Oshawa yesterday, resulted in the death of one person.
Eight others were taken to hospital for treatment, according to Oshawa and Region councillor, Brian Nicholson.
He said in addition to the vehicles involved, pedestrian and staff at the chip truck on the northeast corner were also impacted by the accident and debris.
Durham Police said there are serious life-threatening injuries to some of those involved.
It asked roadusers to consider alternative routes as this area was closed for a significant period of time. Further information will be provided as it becomes available.
Nicholson revealed “at the request of area residents, I have written previously to the Region of Durham requesting improvements to the design and safety of this intersection and its approaches, including the addition of advance green traffic signals.
“Today I wrote again to the region and demanded an immediate investigation and improvements to this location. I have copied Regional Chair John Henry, Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter and my fellow ward 5 councillor John Gray on the correspondence. I am sure they share the concerns I and area residents have raised.”
He asked concerned residents who share similar concerns about this intersection and its approaches, to send him an email, and he will forward the email to the appropriate investigative authorities.
“It should not take a tragedy like this accident to spur the improvements needed but now that it has occurred no more delays are acceptable. I will post their response once it is received,” Nicholson said.
“In the meantime, our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted,” he added.
UPDATE
Durham Police provided an update saying a female died after being involved in a collision involving nine vehicles in Oshawa.
On Saturday, August 10 at about 12:15 p.m., members from Central East Division were called to a multi-vehicle collision on Ritson Road South near Bloor Street.
Information was received that a black Mercedes sedan being operated by a 40-year-old male from Toronto, was travelling southbound on Ritson Road South at a high rate of speed. As the Mercedes entered the curb lane it struck a white Nissan being operated by a 41-year-old female from Oshawa. The force of the initial impact caused the driver of the Nissan to lose control, striking a Chevy Orlando, which then caught fire. The white Nissan then struck a Honda and Dodge Caravan, which also caught fire. Multiple other vehicles were also struck by the Honda and Chevrolet Orlando, said the police.
The Mercedes continued southbound after the initial collision, crossing the northbound lanes and careening onto the property on the northeast corner. As it crossed the property it struck the rear corner of a chip-truck causing the awning to collapse on a male party that was awaiting food. The Mercedes then crashed into a light pole.
The 41-year-old female in the Nissan was pronounced deceased at the scene and nine other parties were taken to a local area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Members of the DRPS – Collision Investigation Unit, attended the scene and investigated the circumstances of the incident. The area of the roadway was closed for several hours while evidence was collected. This collision is still under investigation.
Police are looking to make contact with the operator of a Black Chrysler 300 that was struck in the rear left corner while in the westbound turning lane at Bloor in order to record their involvement in the incident.
Charges have not been laid at this time; however, the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call D/Cst. Kollaard at 905-579-1520 ext. 5267 of the Collision Investigation Unit.
The investigation needs to also examine the previous driving infraction history of any perpurent drivers involved! Have they been previously charged but let off easy in the courts!