Eastbound lanes reopen on Highway 7/8 in Wilmot after 14-vehicle crash
Posted Apr 6, 2018 01:31:58 PM.
Last Updated Apr 6, 2018 05:02:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A massive diesel spill and pileup involving more than a dozen vehicles stranded hundreds of motorists for six hours on Highway 7/8, Friday.
The chain-reaction crash forced the closure of all eastbound lanes between Foundry and Queen streets in the Baden area during the height of the morning rush-hour.
A total of 14 vehicles were involved, including three tractor trailers — one of which spilled its load of diesel all over the highway.
OPP Constable Lauren Ball says it might have been triggered by Friday morning’s blast of winter weather. She says near zero visibility and very icy conditions caused one of the vehicles to lose control, resulting in the domino-effect collision.
Luckily no one was hurt, but Ball says it’s a stark reminder to slow down and drive according to the road conditions.
“Officers at the scene described the conditions as being terrible,” Ball says. “There were over 50 collisions that the Cambridge OPP responded to just today in a few six-to-eight hours, so officers were very busy.”
Drivers and passengers were trapped in their vehicles since 8:45 a.m., while crews worked to cleanup the diesel spill. Traffic was flowing again by 3 p.m.
People who were stuck in the traffic jam say they hadn’t eaten all day, and called family and friends to bring them coffee and food — a group of people even ordered a pizza to the westbound side of Highway 7/8.
Ball says it’s too soon to say if charges will be laid.
