Driver charged in Hwy. 400 dangerous goods spill; OPP address criticisms

By News Staff

The driver of a transport truck carrying dangerous goods which led to a lengthy closure of Highway 400 near Bradford has been charged with having an insecure load.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt says while the accident between a tractor-trailer and another vehicle was minor, it resulted in the load within the truck shifting and causing a leak of highly flammable cleaning solution-type chemicals.

Highway 400 between highways 9 and 88 was closed for just over 11 hours as officials worked to clean up the spill.

The Ontario Provincial Police issued a statement Friday afternoon, acknowledging the aggravation and stress many motorists expressed after being stranded in the hours-long closure.

While motorists took to social media to complain they were “locked in” on the southbound lanes north of the spill, police said the exit at Highway 88 remained open at all times. However, the extremely heavy traffic volumes exceeded the exit capacity.

“The spill cleanup presented challenges …and our officers did everything within their means while dealing with not one, but two major incidents on Highway 400 and ensuring everyone’s safety and well-being”, said OPP Commissioner Vince Hawkes.

Hawkes added that while police travelled between Highway 88 and 89, providing motorists with water, a number of vehicles were observed driving along the highway shoulders which impededed their access and made an already challenging situation worse.

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