Whiteout conditions have caused road closures, collisions and one death as another winter blast moves across southwestern and midwestern Ontario.
In Lambton County, Highway 402 west of Highway 401 was shut down after several collisions on that stretch of road, including one fatality.
An investigation is underway on the highway after the fatal crash near Oil Heritage Road. The collision in the westbound lanes involved multiple vehicles.
A second multi-vehicle collision is also under investigation on Highway 402 west of Mandaumin Road.
In Middlesex County, numerous collisions were reported including a jackknifed tractor trailer on the westbound Highway 402 at Hickory Drive. Richmond Street was also closed from Arva to Exeter in Middlesex.
In Oxford County, the westbound Highway 401 at Cedar Creek and eastbound lanes at Oxford Road 29 were closed due to several collisions and poor visibility.
Oxford OPP say the initial collision that blocked all westbound lanes involved two tractor trailers and a car. That was followed by two chain reaction collisions involving an additional 19 vehicles.
Eight people involved in those collisions were transported to hospital, including two in serious condition and six with minor injuries.
The westbound lanes were expected to remain closed for several hours as a large diesel fuel spill must be cleaned up.
There have also been multiple collisions on Highway 401 and county roads in Elgin County.
All provincial highways in Perth County were closed, but reopened lat Thursday evening.
An OPP officer suffered major injuries and a cruiser was demolished on Perth Road 131 after it was struck from behind by a pickup truck.
The cruiser had been stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights active and flares behind it investigating a separate collision.
One of two people seated in the cruiser suffered minor injuries while the three people in the pickup were not injured.
The Perth East Recreation Complex in Milverton, the Elma Logan Recreation Complex in Monkton, Elma Memorial Community Centre in Atwood and Mitchell and District Arena were opened as a warming centre for stranded travellers.
The weather is also causing problems getting bussed students home from Perth County schools, parents can check yourschools.ca or ourschoolbuses.ca for updates.
By late Thursday afternoon, all roads in Huron County had reopened, with the exception of Highway 21 (Bluewater Veterans Highway from Blyth Road to Amberley Road), Highway 8 (Huron Road) from Seaforth to Perth County and Highway 4 (London Road) from Clinton to Middlesex County.
For updates on road closures in Bruce County click here and for Grey County click here.
OPP are asking people to slow down or to avoid driving all together during these weather conditions. Motorists are reminded that driving on a closed road could result in a $110 fine and three demerit points if convicted.
Many facilities have been closed due to the poor weather conditions so it is helpful to call ahead if you plan to drive anywhere.
If you’re a stranded motorist, OPP are asking you to remain in your vehicle with your four-ways active.
