On September 23, 2022, at approximately 7:25 p.m., the Lakeshore detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report of a three-vehicle collision in the Eastbound lanes of Highway 401 just east of Bell River Road in the Municipality of Lakeshore.

Members of Lakeshore OPP, Lakeshore Fire Rescue, and Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Services (EMS) attended.

Investigation determined that two passenger vehicles and a commercial motor vehicle collided.

Two occupants of one of the passenger vehicles involved were pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the commercial motor vehicle was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The occupants of the second passenger vehicle were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

The names of the deceased are not being released at this time.

Members of the West Region Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement Team (TIME) are assisting Lakeshore OPP with this ongoing investigation.

The Eastbound lanes of Highway 401 at Belle River Road are currently closed, and traffic is being rerouted off the highway at Exit 34.

Further updates will be provided when they become available.

The OPP is continuing to investigate and is seeking public assistance with this investigation. Investigators are looking to speak to any witnesses or members of the motoring public that may have captured this crash on dash camera or anyone that witnessed the event. If anyone has any information, they are being asked to call police at 1-888-310-1122.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you can leave an online Crime Stoppers tip at www.catchcrooks.com or call 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), where you could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2000.