A collision investigation temporarily disrupted traffic on two major roads in central Oshawa Friday afternoon, with Durham Regional Police closing portions of Ritson Road South and Olive Avenue.
The Oshawa crash was reported shortly before 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28.
Police said southbound Ritson Road was closed between St. Eloi Avenue and Olive Avenue while officers investigated the collision.
Olive Avenue was also closed in all directions in the area.
Motorists were advised to stay away from the intersection and use alternate routes while emergency crews and investigators remained at the scene.
Police investigate Oshawa crash
Durham Regional Police had released limited information about the collision as of the initial Friday afternoon update.
Police did not immediately say how many vehicles were involved or provide details about how the collision happened.
There was also no initial confirmation regarding injuries.
No charges had been announced.
Because the investigation remained active, drivers travelling through the area were advised to expect delays and choose another route where possible.
Ritson Road South is a major north-south route through Oshawa, while Olive Avenue carries traffic east and west through neighbourhoods south of downtown.
The closure therefore had the potential to affect motorists travelling through a busy section of the city.
Ritson Road closed southbound
Police said the southbound lanes of Ritson Road were closed from St. Eloi Avenue south to Olive Avenue.
Olive Avenue was simultaneously closed in all directions around the collision scene.
The closure allowed police and other emergency personnel to work safely while the circumstances of the Oshawa crash were investigated.
Authorities did not provide an estimated reopening time in the initial announcement.
Motorists should check the latest Durham Regional Police traffic updates before travelling through the area because road conditions and closures can change quickly following a collision.
Second Durham collision reported Friday
Friday’s Oshawa incident followed another collision that caused significant traffic disruptions earlier in the day in Pickering.
Shortly after 10:30 a.m., Durham police reported closures around the intersection of Brock Road and Bayly Street while officers conducted a separate collision investigation.
Southbound Brock Road and westbound Bayly Street were temporarily closed, while eastbound Bayly Street was reduced to one lane.
Police asked motorists to use alternate routes.
Those roads were subsequently reopened.
Police did not initially release injury information in connection with that collision either.
Another Ritson Road collision occurred Thursday
The latest incident also comes one day after another collision affected Ritson Road South.
On Thursday, Aug. 27, police temporarily closed the intersection of Ritson Road South and Gliddon Avenue while investigating a separate crash.
The Thursday incident was not the same collision as Friday’s closure near Olive Avenue and St. Eloi Avenue.
The separate incidents highlight the importance of checking current traffic conditions before travelling through affected parts of Oshawa.
Drivers asked to avoid the area
Anyone travelling through central Oshawa Friday afternoon was advised to avoid Ritson Road South near Olive Avenue until police completed their investigation and reopened the roadway.
Drivers approaching from surrounding streets should follow police directions, temporary road signs and any detours established around the scene.
As of the initial police update, investigators had not publicly announced the cause of the collision or whether anyone had been seriously injured.
Further information about the Oshawa crash, including the circumstances surrounding the collision and the status of the affected roads, could be released as the investigation continues.
