Two killed trying to cross busy area highways
CTV.ca News Staff
Two men were killed trying to cross busy Toronto-area highways Sunday, while a series of chain reaction collisions sent almost two dozen people to hospital.
A 41-year-old Maple man was killed at about 3 p.m. trying to cross the southbound lane of Highway 400 near Molson Park Drive in Barrie, the Ontario Provincial Police said.
Officers are still investigating the reason for his attempt, but believe he may have been trying to get to a flea market.
The accident triggered a chain reaction crash involving a number of vehicles, which brought traffic to a standstill for some time.
Several hours later, a Toronto man tried to run across Highway 407 near Weston Road, but was struck and killed. Officers are not sure what prompted his action.
In all, 21 people were hospitalized with various injuries, but none were considered life-threatening, police said.
"It's been a very busy weekend on the roads," Sgt. Cam Woolley told CTV.ca on Monday afternoon.
Officers have laid well over 500 charges during its annual Thanksgiving Day long weekend blitz.
More than half are for speeding, Woolley said, while more than 200 unsafe vehicles have been taken off the road.
Officers have come across their fair share of bizarre scenarios, including a husband and wife who were smoking marijuana after being pulled over for speeding.
"When they reached for the ownership, that's where they kept their bags of drugs, so it didn't go well for them," Woolley said.
The couple was arrested for drug possession.
"And to top it off ... while the officers were dealing with them, their dog jumped up and pushed the power door locks and locked them out of their Trailblazer, and they had to pay for the tow too."
Police followed a fast and furious motorcycle driver after he zipped passed an unmarked cruiser at speeds of up to 190 km/h. The officer followed the driver until he pulled over at a gas station.
The culprit was only 17 years old, and had the slogan "Catch Me" written on the back of his helmet. He had also pulled the licence plates off his bike.
"When he was arrested, he started crying, telling the officer he was arrested for all the same things only seven days ago," Woolley said.
Police looked into his claim and discovered the teen had in fact been charged with dangerous driving a week earlier for driving 180 km/h in a 60 km/h zone "popping wheelies" on the motorcycle registered to his mother.
"Police interrupted Thanksgiving dinner to have her come and pick up junior from the police station," Woolley said.
The gorgeous weather has increased traffic on a weekend that is generally busy with cottagers who head up north one last time before closing up their summer retreats for the year. Family functions draw out motorists as well.
Operation Impact, a nationwide campaign, is in its 16th year. The initiative aims to crack down on aggressive drivers, those not wearing seatbelts and impaired motorists.
The blitz continues until midnight Monday.
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