A portion of Highway 401 in Clarington has been shut down due to a frightening incident involving a loose tire that hit an SUV.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) rushed to the scene near Newtonville Road just after 11:30 a.m. on Monday following reports of a vehicle losing a tire and wheel assembly. The detached wheel crossed into oncoming westbound lanes, colliding with another vehicle.
The occupants of the westbound vehicle, a 70-year-old driver and passenger, were immediately taken to the hospital for treatment. The female passenger sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to a trauma center, while the male driver suffered minor injuries.
Authorities have charged the driver of the eastbound vehicle responsible for the detached tire.
As a result of the incident, both eastbound and westbound lanes of Highway 401 between Mill Street and Newtonville Road have been closed for investigation and cleanup.