Investigation continues into Hwy. 48 crash that left two people dead

A serious crash can be seen on Highway 48 near Sutton, Ont. on Thursday, July 27, 2017. (Clayton Linders)

The investigation into a crash that claimed the lives of two people and sent three others to hospital continued Friday.

Provincial police reopened Highway 48 near Sutton early Friday morning, more than 12 hours after five vehicles collided near a construction zone. The crash involved three gravel haulers, a commercial cube van and a SUV.

The OPP say they are still trying to figure out exactly what caused the chain-reaction crash. On Thursday, OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said all five vehicles were headed north on the highway.

“At least some of the vehicles were stopped waiting for their turn to proceed,” Schmidt said. “A vehicle that did not stop triggered this multi-vehicle chain reaction that resulted in two fatalities.”

Schmidt also said that there was a crest in the road and that the vehicle was travelling at a high rate of speed.

One person inside the van and another in the SUV were pronounced dead at the scene.

A 10-year-old boy and one other person were airlifted to hospital with critical injuries. Police say their condition has improved and they are now listed as having non-life threatening injuries.

A third person was also taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Police wouldn’t comment on Friday as to whether charges will be laid.