“Blizzard Nightmare: 7-Car Pileup on Highway 401 Leaves 3 Dead, Dozens Injured”…..see more

Blizzard Nightmare: 7-Car Pileup on Highway 401 Leaves 3 Dead, Dozens Injured

Toronto, ON — A deadly blizzard sweeping across southern Ontario has claimed three lives and left dozens injured following a horrific 7-car pileup on Highway 401 late Friday evening. The incident, described by first responders as one of the worst winter-related accidents in recent memory, occurred near the Milton exit, where whiteout conditions turned the major highway into a corridor of chaos and destruction.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) confirmed that the multi-vehicle collision happened shortly after 6:45 p.m., as heavy snow, strong winds, and rapidly dropping temperatures created treacherous driving conditions. According to OPP Sgt. Laura McAllister, visibility was reduced to near-zero at the time of the crash, making it nearly impossible for drivers to react in time as vehicles ahead lost control and slammed into each other.

“This is one of the most tragic scenes we’ve had on this stretch of the highway in years,” said Sgt. McAllister during a midnight press conference. “Seven vehicles were involved — including two transport trucks, three passenger cars, and two SUVs. The wreckage spanned over 300 meters of roadway. We can confirm three fatalities at this time, with more than 20 individuals injured — some critically.”

Emergency services rushed to the scene as snow continued to fall heavily. Firefighters worked through the blizzard to extract trapped individuals from mangled vehicles using the Jaws of Life. Paramedics treated the wounded at the scene before transporting them to hospitals in Toronto, Mississauga, and Oakville. Among the injured were children, including a 9-year-old boy who remains in serious condition.

“We were on our way home when everything just turned white,” said Melissa Chang, a survivor of the crash who was driving behind the initial impact. “I hit the brakes but couldn’t stop. The next thing I knew, we were spinning, and another car smashed into us from behind.”

The victims of the crash have not yet been publicly identified, pending family notification, but police say all three fatalities occurred instantly due to the severity of the impact. Investigators believe that speed combined with poor visibility and black ice contributed to the devastation.

The highway was immediately shut down in both directions, with traffic diverted as crews worked through the night to clear debris, treat the injured, and assess the scene. As of Saturday morning, westbound lanes remain closed, with authorities warning of continued hazardous travel conditions due to ongoing snowfall and freezing rain.

The blizzard, part of a large storm system sweeping across eastern Canada, brought wind gusts exceeding 70 km/h and dumped over 30 cm of snow in just a few hours. Environment Canada had issued multiple weather warnings earlier in the day, urging residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. However, the timing of the storm during evening rush hour caught many commuters off guard.

Premier Doug Ford released a statement Saturday morning, expressing condolences to the victims’ families and praising the efforts of first responders. “Our hearts are with those who lost loved ones in last night’s terrible accident. We are grateful for the brave men and women who risked their safety to save lives amid impossible conditions,” Ford said.

As investigators continue to piece together the chain of events that led to the fatal crash, authorities are again urging Ontarians to exercise extreme caution when driving during winter storms — or better yet, to avoid travel altogether.

“This is a heartbreaking reminder that winter weather can be deadly,” Sgt. McAllister added. “We need the public to understand that these conditions aren’t just inconvenient — they’re life-threatening.”

The OPP is asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage from the area between 6:30 and 7:00 p.m. Friday evening to come forward to aid the investigation.

With more snow expected over the weekend, Ontario officials are encouraging residents to stay indoors, check weather alerts, and prepare for continued disruptions. A community vigil is being organized by local residents near Milton to honor the victims, with details to follow.