Ontario Provincial Police have issued a warning to the driver of a transport truck they say is responsible for collapsing an overhead sign on a major highway Friday morning.
Authorities say just before 8 a.m., a truck collided with a sign on Highway 401 near Brock Street in Whitby, causing it to “twist and collapse.”
“You can see the impact mark here on the sign where a transport truck collided with the sign and part of the cross member here as well,” OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said in a social media post.
Images from early Friday morning showed the sign located on the other side of the highway, completely blocking traffic. As a result, a long line of cars was stuck on that stretch of road.
Schmidt said witnesses said the truck driver stopped after hitting the sign and got out of their vehicle before fleeing the scene. He said police are currently reviewing the description of both the suspect and the vehicle involved.
“We know who you are. We’re coming for you right now,” Schmidt warned. “It would probably be best if you called the OPP right now and advised us exactly where you are and where we can best meet.”
Charges are likely to be filed in connection with the incident, Schmidt said.
Update: The sign has been secured and cleanup has begun. The culprit of this collision has been identified. If you are the driver, please call @WhitbyOPP 905-668-3388. pic.twitter.com/sIrFzaRniy
— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) January 6, 2023
Meanwhile, the westbound lanes of the highway are closed between Brock Street and Thickson Road.
Schmidt said motorists should expect “major delays” in the area.
“This is going to take some time to fix,” Schmidt said. “It will require heavy equipment for a crane to come in to remove the sign from the freeway.”
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