Ontario Provincial Police say a 31-year-old male driver was killed after he was struck by at least five vehicles on Highway 401 in Toronto early Tuesday morning.
Police say the fatal collision happened around 3 a.m. on the eastbound collector lanes near Keele Street.
Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said there were reports the vehicle was moving erratically when it lost a tire and stopped on the left shoulder.
“A few moments later the driver entered the lanes of the highway and was subsequently struck by several vehicles. He was pronounced dead on the scene,” he said.
Police say 33 pedestrians have lost their lives on provincial highways so far this year which represents a 65 per cent jump from the previous year.
“If you do ever break down, or you have a problem on the highway, even if you’re in a minor collision and you get out and assess your damage, be aware that you are a vulnerable road user,” Schmidt said.
“Being inside the safety cage of you car is probably the best place for you to be. If you do break down, call 911 immediately.”
The eastbound lanes between Hwy 400 and Jane Street were closed for several hours for the police investigation but reopened just before 8 a.m.
Police are urging any witnesses who may have been in the area at the time of the fatal collision to come forward.