Update – Fatal Crash, Names & Cause Released

(LONDON, ON) – At a media conference held today at Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) West Region Headquarters, Chief Superintendent John Cain, Regional Commander of West Region, along with members of Perth County Detachment and the Highway Safety Division of the OPP, announced details of the ongoing investigation into the 11-person fatality that occurred in Hampstead on February 6, 2011.

During the conference, the OPP identified the victims of the collision and also provided information as to the investigative findings to date. The driver of the van, David Armando HERNANDEZ BLANCAS, 45 years old of New Hamburg, while traveling westbound on Line 47 in the Township of Perth East, failed to stop and provide the right of way to traffic traveling southbound on Perth Road 107. The investigation also revealed that the driver of the van was not properly licenced to drive a high occupancy vehicle.

The investigation is continuing.

Appended to this release are the names of the victims and a Backgrounder on the OPP Technical Collision Investigation and Reconstruction Team.

QUOTES

“The OPP’s primary concern in situations such as this is the best interests of the family and the loved ones left behind, as well as the impact these types of investigations have on our members and those of emergency service responders. The tragic fact of this investigation is that it was entirely preventable. This crash should cause all Ontarians to pause and seriously consider their own driving habits and immediately change them for the better.” Chief Superintendent John Cain, Region Commander OPP West Region.

DECEASED

BLANCAS-HERNANDEZ, David Armando – 45

VALDIVIEZO-TABOA, Jose Mercedes – 49

SANCHEZ-PALACIOS, Cesar Augusto – 53

LEON, Enrique Arturo – 47

JARAMILLO, Corsino – 47

ABRIL,Mario – 48

COMPOMANES-CORZO, Oscar – Unknown

CASTILLO, Juan – Unknown

BRAVO-SUNCION, Elvio – Unknown

CORREA, Fernando – Unknown

INJURED

SULLA-PUMA, Edgar – 26

ARIZA, Juan – 35

ALBA-MEDINA, Abelardo – 38

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