Norwich Township fatal collision claims three lives

Lee Griffi, Editor

Update

Five deceased following Norwich Township collision

Two additional passengers involved in a two-vehicle collision in Norwich Township have succumbed to their injuries.

The driver of the SUV, a 39-year-old from Cambridge, and two passengers, a 13-year-old and a 17-year-old, both from Tillsonburg, were pronounced deceased at the scene. Two additional passengers were transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Those passengers, a 46-year-old and a 21-year-old, both from Tillsonburg, have died as a result of their injuries.

Police say no charges will be laid, and no further information will be released.

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Three people are dead, and two remain in life-threatening condition following a March 31 collision in Norwich Township.

Members of the Oxford Ontario Provincial Police, along with Fire and Emergency Medical Services, responded to a collision at the intersection of Highway 59 and Quaker Street in Norwich Township at 3 p.m.

The driver of a sport utility vehicle, a 39-year-old from Cambridge and two occupants, a 13-year-old and a 17-year-old from Tillsonburg, were pronounced deceased on scene. Two other occupants were transported to hospital, one by an Ornge air ambulance and the other by a land ambulance, to be treated for serious, life-threatening injuries. Their conditions remain life-threatening.

The driver of the transport truck was not injured.

Police continue to investigate the incident and are asking residents and businesses, along with members of the motoring public, to check their security surveillance or dash camera footage in case they captured the collision or the vehicles involved.

A nearby resident told The London Free Press she heard the crash from her home at the intersection just north of Norwich.

Betty Kerr said she and her husband have been advocating for two decades to have the speed limit reduced on the rural roads involved in the collision.

Improvements to Highway 59 were approved by the county council on Feb. 25, although Norwich Township Mayor and Oxford County Councillor Jim Palmer said the new signs had not yet been installed.

“Council approved a reduction in the posted speed from 80 km/hour to 60 km/hour in that area just north of Norwich,” explained Frank Gross, the county’s manager of transportation.

“It’s somewhat built up where there is a cluster of houses and businesses. Along with the speed reduction, there will be electronic speed feedback signs to support the change in speed and make drivers aware as they are going through there,” he added.

The county ordered the necessary materials as soon as council green-lighted the improvements and added they are waiting for the proper conditions to install the new measures. The work is expected to be completed within one to two weeks from press time.

“We have been waiting for the end of winter when the conditions are more suitable for the work to be done. When the ground isn’t frozen and there are no snowbanks.  

Gross added the entire community grieves when someone like this happens.

“We extend our sympathies to the family and friends of everyone affected.”

Quaker Street is a stop-controlled roadway under the jurisdiction of Norwich Township. It has a speed limit of 80 km/h up to the stop signs at Highway 59. Palmer said council may soon consider implementing its own traffic-calming measures at the intersection.