(TOWNSHIP OF PERTH EAST, ON) On Thursday September 02, 2010, shortly before 6 p.m., Perth County OPP officers were dispatched to a serious two vehicle collision on Perth Road 119 at the intersection of Perth Line 56 (at the Topping curve).
Investigation indicated that an eastbound tractor trailer on Perth Road 119 had slowed down to turn left onto Perth Line 56. While the tractor trailer was in the process of making the turn, it was struck from behind by a small eastbound sedan. The impact caused the sedan to leave the roadway, and come to rest in a field on the south side of the road. The road was wet at the time of the collision.
The driver and passenger of the sedan were both transported by Perth County Ambulance to the Stratford General Hospital, where shortly before midnight the passenger succumbed to her injuries. The deceased passenger was identified as Bessie Gadke (93) from Palmerston.
The sedan driver Hazel Tomlin (79) of Harriston remains in Stratford General Hospital with non life threatening injuries.
The 64 year old truck driver from the Municipality of West Perth did not sustain any injuries as a result of the collision.
Perth Road 119 to the north and south of the collision scene was closed from 6:19 p.m. on Thursday until 6:37 a.m. on Friday September 03, 2010. This closure allowed for the safe removal of the vehicles and debris. It also ensured that the West Region OPP Technical Traffic Investigators were able to investigate the collision scene safely.
Officers at the scene expressed concern about the high number of motorists who ignored the “road closed†signs which were prominently displayed and placed on the road. As a result, 4 motorists were charged with “driving on a closed highwayâ€.
Investigation into the cause of the collision is continuing.