Wrong-way driver killed in crash with transport truck on Hwy. 406

A 54-year-old Welland man has died after his vehicle collided head-on with a transport truck on Highway 406 near St. Catharines.

It happened just before 1 a.m. Wednesday in the southbound lanes of the highway near Beaverdams Rd.

In a post on Twitter, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said the man was travelling the wrong way on the highway when his vehicle crashed into a transport truck.

Fatal collision #Hwy406 SB lanes closed at Beaver dams Rd.
Wrong way vehicle has collided with a transport truck. Male driver of passanger vehicle pronounced dead at the scene.
OPP investigating, updates to follow in the morning.

— Sgt Kerry Schmidt (@OPP_HSD) November 20, 2019

The  man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Video from the scene shows debris littered across the highway and extensive damage to the front end of the transport truck. The other vehicle was covered with a tarp as it sat nearly unidentifiable on the grass median.

The driver of the transport truck was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

OPP says speed, alcohol and drugs are being looked at as possible contributing factors in the crash.

All southbound lanes were closed at Beaverdams Rd. but have since reopened.

OPP is continuing to investigate the incident.

Any potential witnesses of the crash are asked to contact OPP at 905-356-1311.

Driver of Jeep (right) reportedly going the wrong way on #Hwy406 when it crashed head on with the tractor trailer (left). Driver of jeep pronounced dead on scene. This is the 3rd crash this year on the 406 caused by drivers going the wrong way. @morninglive pic.twitter.com/XNDUXxXYZH

— Sylvie Lendvay (@sylvie_lendvay) November 20, 2019