A deadly Christmas on Highway 401 in Northumberland County.
Emergency services responded at approximately 2:30 a.m. after a vehicle was travelling eastbound, east of Brighton when it went off the roadway.
One person was pronounced dead at the scene, while another was transported to hospital with critical injuries. A third person had minor injuries.
Highway 401 east of Brighton was closed for several hours and opened at approximately 10 a.m.
The occupants are believed to be from the Toronto area.
UPDATE: Unconfirmed reports say a second victim grave condition.
Press Release from Northumberland OPP
On Tuesday December 25, 2018 at approximately 2:15 am, members of the Northumberland Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), along with emergency personnel responded to a single motor vehicle collision on Highway 401eastbound in the Municipality of Brighton.
A motorist travelling eastbound noticed a severely damaged Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) well off the highway in a ditch. Two passengers of the vehicle were transported to a local area hospital with unknown injuries. The driver, a 41 year-old male from Scarborough, Ontario was pronounced dead at the scene.
Eastbound lanes of Highway 401 were closed between Brighton and Quinte West for several hours while OPP members trained in collision reconstruction measured and documented the scene. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
The name of the deceased male is being withheld at this time pending confirmation of next of kin notification.
Another collision occurred on December 24 at approximately 7 p.m. on Highway 401 eastbound lanes, just east of Wesleyville.
Few details have been released, but it’s believed two occupants of the vehicle suffered serious injuries. A vehicle that was possibly involved in the collision left the scene and was spotted travelling southbound in Port Hope riding on at least one rim.
Port Hope Police spotted the vehicle and arrested the driver.
No word on charges.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
