OPP officer injured after being struck on Hwy. 404

An OPP officer is in hospital after being struck while responding to multiple collisions on Highway 404 just north of Richmond Hill.

Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said the officer had been responding to crashes caused by icy roads near Bloomington Road.

While the officer was attending to one of the crashed vehicles, another vehicle crashed into the back of the police vehicle he was sitting in.

Both the officer and the driver of that vehicle were taken to the hospital. They were treated and released.

It’s unclear how serious the officer’s injuries are but Schmidt says the officer will be recovering at home for some time before returning to work.

Schmidt said a 43-year-old man from Newmarket has been charged with failing to slow down and move over and careless driving. The man is also facing several drug possession charges.

He added a reminder about the “slow down, move over” legislation, asking drivers to remain vigilant, especially during icy winter conditions.

“When you see emergency flashing lights — red lights, blue lights or amber lights — please slow down as you approach, be prepared to stop if necessary, move into an adjacent lane if one is available to give the first responders a safe lane of space to do their job and be careful as you’re passing by,” he said.