Tow truck driver struck, critically injured on 417

A 45-year-old tow truck driver was in critical condition in hospital after he was struck by a vehicle Wednesday on Highway 417 near Scotiabank Place.

The man was helping police at the scene of a collision in the eastbound lanes near the Palladium Road overpass when he was hit by another passing vehicle, Ontario Provincial Police Const. John Armit said Wednesday evening.

The Jonny’s Towing operator was walking on the right side of the highway when he was struck by a passing vehicle at about 4:45 p.m.

The passing car then struck one of the vehicles involved in the original crash.

Ottawa paramedics said the tow-truck operator suffered lifethreatening head and abdominal injuries and was unconscious when they took him to hospital.

The 19-year-old woman driving the car that struck the parked vehicle, and a passenger, also a 19-yearold woman, were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. A 30-year-old man who was in the vehicle that was struck was also taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The eastbound lanes were closed while OPP collision investigators were at the scene. Armit said investigators would determine whether charges were warranted.

The collision follows a recent OPP “slow down, move over” campaign urging drivers to be more attentive, slow down and move to the left if possible whenever police or emergency workers are stopped on the side of the road.

This year, the Ontario government approved a bill that, among other measures, requires motorists to do exactly that when they see tow trucks engaged at the scene of a crash. Current legislation applies to first responders such as police and paramedics. The inclusion of tow truck operators comes into effect on Sept. 1.

About 100 tow truck drivers die every year across North America while working on the side of the road, according to the Canadian Automobile Association.