Ottawa-area Ontario Provincial Police are calling it "truly a miracle" after a serious collision between a transport truck and an SUV on Highway 403 resulted in zero injuries.
The crash, which involved a heavy transport truck and a passenger SUV, prompted OPP to shut down the eastbound lanes of Highway 403 between Highway 53 and Middle Townline Road for several hours. The closure caused significant traffic disruptions before officers were able to reopen the road.
What Happened
OPP responded to the scene after the transport truck and SUV collided on the 403 corridor. Given the size disparity between the two vehicles involved — a fully loaded transport truck versus a passenger SUV — the fact that no injuries were reported is being described by officers as nothing short of miraculous.
Eastbound lanes between Highway 53 and Middle Townline Road were closed for several hours as emergency crews and collision investigators worked the scene. The lanes have since fully reopened.
A Reminder for Ontario Drivers
For Ottawa residents who regularly make the drive west along the 401 and 403 corridors — whether heading to Hamilton, the GTA, or beyond — incidents like this serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of sharing the road with heavy commercial vehicles.
Transport trucks require significantly more stopping distance than passenger vehicles, and blind spots around large trucks are a leading factor in highway collisions across Ontario. OPP and road safety advocates consistently urge drivers to:
- Give trucks space — avoid lingering beside a transport truck and pass quickly and deliberately
- Stay out of blind spots — if you can't see the driver's mirrors, they can't see you
- Watch for wide turns — transports need extra room, especially on ramps and interchanges
- Never cut off a truck — their braking distance is far greater than a car's
Highway Safety in Ontario
Highway 403 is one of the busiest freight corridors in Ontario, linking communities from Woodstock through Brantford toward Hamilton and the 400-series interchange network. Ottawa-bound travellers often connect through this corridor when returning from or travelling to the southwestern part of the province.
OPP regularly remind motorists that transport truck collisions, while dramatic, are often preventable with proper following distance and awareness. In this case, everyone walked away — something investigators are clearly grateful for.
If you were in the area during the closure and experienced delays, full lanes are now back open and traffic is flowing normally.
Source: Global News Ottawa / OPP
