An Ajax Fatal Crash has claimed the life of a 28-year-old man who was struck by a transport truck while rollerblading near the Highway 401 westbound off-ramp at Salem Road.
Durham Regional Police said the collision happened shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, as a Freightliner truck was exiting Highway 401 and turning right onto Salem Road.
The rollerblader was struck in the area south of Chambers Drive.
Emergency crews and officers from Durham Regional Police West Division responded to the scene, but the 28-year-old man was pronounced dead.
Police have not released his identity in the information provided.
Transport Truck Driver Remained at Scene
Police said the truck was being driven by a 60-year-old man.
The driver remained at the scene following the collision and was co-operative with investigators.
No charges were announced in the supplied police information, and the cause of the collision remains under investigation.
The truck was described as a Freightliner.
Investigators have not indicated whether speed, visibility, road conditions, driver actions or any other factor contributed to the fatal crash.
Those details should remain unconfirmed unless police release further findings.
Collision Investigation Unit Called to Ajax Scene
Members of the Durham Regional Police Collision Investigation Unit attended the scene following the Ajax Fatal Crash.
The roadway was closed for several hours while investigators collected evidence.
Serious and fatal collision investigations often require police to examine vehicle positions, roadway markings, sightlines and other physical evidence in an effort to determine what happened.
The temporary closure also allowed investigators to work safely around the Highway 401 off-ramp and Salem Road intersection.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing.
Witnesses Asked to Contact Police
Durham Regional Police are asking anyone who witnessed the collision and has not yet spoken with investigators to come forward.
Motorists who were travelling near the westbound Highway 401 off-ramp at Salem Road shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday may have information that could assist the investigation.
Dash-camera footage from vehicles travelling through the area may also be relevant.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Lee of the Traffic Services Branch at 905-579-1520 or 1-888-579-1520, ext. 5231.
Anonymous information can be submitted to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.
Fatal Collision Comes During Busy Week for Durham Police
The fatal Ajax collision comes amid several serious crashes being investigated across Durham Region.
Police have also been responding to incidents in Whitby, Oshawa and Bowmanville.
Earlier in the week, a 38-year-old woman was critically injured after a vehicle left Energy Drive in Bowmanville and struck a hydro pole.
Those incidents are separate investigations, but together they highlight a particularly active period for Durham collision investigators.
Highway 401 Off-Ramp Area Under Investigation
The Ajax Fatal Crash occurred where vehicles exiting westbound Highway 401 connect with Salem Road.
Because the truck was making a right turn when the collision occurred, investigators will likely focus on reconstructing the movements of both the vehicle and the rollerblader immediately before impact.
However, police have not yet released any conclusion regarding responsibility.
The driver remaining at the scene and co-operating with police does not by itself indicate whether charges will or will not follow.
Any decision on charges would depend on the evidence gathered during the investigation.
Police Continue Appeal for Information
For now, the investigation remains active.
Police are asking members of the public to avoid speculation and instead provide any direct observations or video evidence to investigators.
The Ajax Fatal Crash resulted in the death of a 28-year-old man and required an extended roadway closure while evidence was collected.
Further updates may include the victim’s identity, additional investigative findings or information about possible charges, but none of those details have been confirmed in the supplied report.
