A one-year-old child is now in stable condition after a Pickering Highway 401 crash near Brock Road initially left the child critically injured and prompted an air ambulance response Thursday afternoon.
Ontario Provincial Police said the single-vehicle collision happened at approximately 2:20 p.m. on August 13 in the eastbound lanes of Highway 401 near Brock Road.
A woman was driving with the child in the vehicle when she lost control and crashed into a highway barrier.
Emergency crews found the child unresponsive following the collision.
Ornge landed an air ambulance on Highway 401 and transported the child to Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children with critical injuries.
Police later confirmed that the child’s condition had improved to stable.
Pickering Highway 401 Crash Remains Under Investigation
The child’s mother was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
Ontario Provincial Police have not determined what caused the vehicle to lose control.
OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said investigators are considering whether a mechanical problem, human factor or another circumstance may have contributed to the crash.
No cause has been confirmed and police have not announced any charges.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Highway Closed During Emergency Response
The serious collision resulted in major traffic disruptions along Highway 401 Thursday afternoon.
Police initially closed lanes in both directions to allow emergency crews and an Ornge helicopter to safely respond.
Westbound lanes reopened first, while eastbound traffic remained restricted as investigators examined the crash scene and crews removed the damaged vehicle.
The highway fully reopened later Thursday afternoon.
Drivers experienced substantial delays around Brock Road while the closures were in place.
Child’s Condition Improves
The latest update from provincial police indicates the one-year-old is now stable after initially arriving at hospital with critical injuries.
Authorities have not released additional information about the child or mother.
The Pickering Highway 401 crash remains under investigation as police work to determine exactly why the vehicle left control and struck the barrier.
