The driver of a truck that is believed to have crashed into and subsequently removed an overhead sign on Highway 401 Friday morning has been located, Ontario Provincial Police said.
Officials said shortly before 8am a lorry collided with a freeway section sign 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 video posted on social media shortly after the incident.
Images from the scene early Friday morning showed the sign located across the highway, completely blocking traffic.
Schmidt said witnesses said the truck driver stopped after hitting the sign and got out of their vehicle before getting back into the truck and fleeing the scene.
In the hours that followed, police reviewed descriptions of both the suspect and the vehicle involved in the collision and issued a stern warning to the driver.
“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.”
Hours later, Schmidt announced in a video posted on Twitter that the car and driver had been located.
Update: The truck we believe was involved in this morning’s collision with the overhead sign on #Hwy401/Brock St Whitby has been located. The investigation continues. pic.twitter.com/MVUp5ndczy
— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) January 6, 2023
Investigators can be seen measuring the height of the vehicle involved in the collision, which Schmidt said appears to be a “dump” truck that can raise and lower its trailer.
He noted that signs of damage could be seen on the truck itself, including what appeared to be blue paint, which Schmidt said was from the sign that hit hours earlier.
Schmidt said police are currently speaking with the driver and the company that owns the truck to find out exactly what happened.
It’s unclear if charges will be filed, though Schmidt said they likely will be filed as early as Friday.
The westbound sections between Brock Street and Thickson Road, which were closed, have since reopened.
The identity of the suspect and the official vehicle involved in the collision has not been released.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
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