Top stories of the week: Kitchener man identified in fatal Highway 401, small child asleep in stolen SUV, and a parasite outbreak

The scene of a nine-vehicle collision on Highway 401 near Townline Road in Cambridge, Ont. (Courtesy: Aumatul Majeed)

Kitchener man identified as person killed in Highway 401 crash

A 44-year-old from Kitchener, Ont., has been identified as the man killed in Saturday’s crash on Highway 401.

Ontario Provincial Police did not release his name.

They said nine vehicles collided around 12:30 p.m. in the eastbound lanes near Townline Road in Cambridge, Ont.

“A transport truck collided into the back of slowing or stopped traffic resulting in approximately 16 people with injuries sent to hospital,” OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt told CTV News on Sunday.

Aumatul Majeed was driving one of the vehicles involved in the crash. Her three-year-old son was also in the backseat.

“All of a sudden in my back mirror view, I saw the car hitting the car, the truck coming very fast hitting the cars behind me,” she told CTV News. “It happened so quick, very, very quick that I couldn’t save myself either... My car did not hit anything, so I believe that means we were the last one to (be) hit.”

• READ MORE: One person dead following Highway 401 crash in Cambridge, Ont.

Majeed and her son were taken to WRHN @ Midtown (formerly known as Grand River Hospital). She said they were released after undergoing several tests.

A 44-year-old driver was airlifted to a trauma centre, where he was pronounced dead.

No further details were shared about the other 15 people who were hurt.

The driver of the transport truck was unharmed. Police said they were arrested at the scene for dangerous driving.

“No charges have been laid at this time,” Schmidt said. “The driver was released unconditionally pending the outcome of the investigation.”

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam video is asked to contact OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

Speeding and safety

Majeed worries about what could have happened if the speed limit was higher.

The province has promised to increase the speed limit on some major highways from 100 km/h to 110 km/h, starting later this year.

“As soon as you hear about 110, people are going to go to 130, right?” said Majeed. “If they go 120 right now... then that means they’re definitely going to hit 130 [km/h] easily.”

CTV News reached out to OPP on Monday, but they would not say whether speed was a factor in the crash.

The Ontario Safety League is a non-profit that aims to reduce preventable deaths and injuries on provincial roads.

“The reality is the faster you go, the harder you hit, the more consequences there are,” said Angelo DiCicco, the organization’s president and CEO.

While the signage may change, it will not affect physics or police enforcement.

“A higher posted speed limit is not a licence to speed,” DiCicco said. “Safety is about behaviour, roadway design, education, enforcement and personal responsibility.”

He noted that drivers must be aware of their surroundings at all times, especially when traffic slows down.

“It’s imperative to be checking your rear-view mirror and trying to communicate early with the traffic behind,” DiCicco said. “Communicate with your brake lights... You may [want to] consider a lane change where there’s better space.”

Majeed, for her part, is grateful her family is safe. She also hopes the crash will serve as a reality check for other drivers.

“There were families involved in this accident,” Majeed said. “It’s not something small. We definitely need to take all the precautions we can.”

SUV stolen with small child asleep in the backseat

A four-year-old child was found safe after a stranger stole the car they were sleeping in, according to police.

An employee at the Big Bear Food Mart on Willow Road in Guelph, Ont. said a man came into the convenience store on Monday afternoon and tried to steal merchandise. When asked to leave, the man exposed himself.

The Guelph Police Service said he then got into an idling SUV and drove off.

That was when a woman, who the employee described as frantic, ran outside.

She told him her SUV had been stolen, with her four-year-old still in the backseat.

“When we hear a call come over the radio and there’s been a vehicle stolen with a child inside, everyone is immediately concerned for the safety of the child,” said Scott Tracey, a spokesperson for Guelph Police. “It’s a very dangerous situation being with an unknown person. We don’t know what their motives or capabilities are. Certainly, when that call came in, every officer that was able to respond, did. That includes our detectives branch, patrol officers out on the road. Every officer in the city that was available, did so as well.”

Sixteen minutes after the SUV was reported stolen, it was found on a nearby street.

“The child was, in fact, still sleeping in the back seat and was unharmed,” police said.

Officers then located and arrested the suspect.

The 29-year-old from Guelph was charged theft of a motor vehicle, theft under $5,000 and committing an indecent act.

Reminder from police

Guelph Police also wanted to remind the public about the danger of leaving children in cars, especially during a heat wave.

“Children should never be left unattended, during any weather,” Tracey said. “Animals should also not be left unattended in vehicles. The temperature inside vehicles just gets critically hot, very quickly.”

Theft should also be top of mind for drivers.

“Make sure vehicles are locked and the keys are not inside,” Tracey added. “[That] takes away the opportunity for someone to steal them.”

With reporting from Karis Mapp

Guelph Police Service told they can fire disgraced officer Corey McArthur

The Guelph Police Service has been given the go-ahead to dismiss Corey McArthur unless, that is, he decides to resign within the next seven days.

The decision, announced on Friday, marked the end of the officer’s 10-year battle to keep his job.

In September 2016, a 17-year-old boy was taken to the hospital after threatening to hurt himself. A security camera caught McArthur elbowing the teen, who was handcuffed to a hospital bed at the time. The boy had a 3.5-centimetre laceration under his right eye, bruising and swelling on his face, as well as marks on his eyes and neck. McArthur initially claimed the teen’s injuries were self-inflicted but, when hospital staff watched the security video, they saw McArthur strike the boy.

• TIMELINE: Corey McArthur’s troubled past with the Guelph Police Service

McArthur eventually pleaded guilty to discreditable conduct.

The decision at his first penalty hearing was for dismissal, but that was later overturned on appeal.

At the second penalty hearing, McArthur’s lawyers argued he was suffering from undiagnosed and untreated post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at the time of the assault, stemming from the 2013 death of his policing partner. Since then, they said, McArthur has sought out treatment and was ready to return to policing.

The Guelph Police Service disputed that assertion by pointing to McArthur’s history of volatile behaviour and noted violence was not an established symptom of PTSD.

Penalty hearing decision

Morris Elbers, the hearing officer, sided with the Guelph Police Service.

“I had difficulty in the rationale for the actions of Const. Corey McArthur,” he explained Friday. “To equate this to PTSD is a large leap which isn’t rational in my opinion.”

Elbers said the teen was no threat to anyone but himself and should reasonably expect the officers to take care of him.

Elbers also questioned McArthur’s failure to report the incident.

“Why was his action not documented?”

Elbers was troubled by McArthur’s apparent lack of remorse and also felt McArthur still believed he did nothing wrong.

The hearing officer said McArthur betrayed the trust of the community, his fellow officers and the Guelph Police Service. If McArthur were to remain an officer, he added, it would likely damage the reputation of the force. Elbers also questioned whether McArthur could ever be trusted again with a gun.

Response from Guelph Police Service

CTV News reached out to the Guelph Police Service for comment on McArthur’s hearing.

They only reiterated the facts of the case, shared here in full.

“On July 17, 2026, the sentencing hearing for Constable Corey McArthur concluded,” it said. “The Hearing Officer ordered that Constable Corey McArthur shall be dismissed from the Guelph Police Service in seven days unless he resigns before that time. The Hearing Officer’s decision will be posted on the Guelph Police Service website on July 20, 2026.”

With reporting from Colton Wiens and Krista Simpson

Forest fire smoke expected to impact air quality in Waterloo Region, Guelph and surrounding area

People living in southern Ontario may notice hazy skies as smoke from fires burning in northwestern Ontario is expected to blow into the area.

Environment Canada issued a yellow air quality warning on Tuesday evening.

“As smoke levels increase, health risks increase. Limit time outdoors. Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events,” the warning said.

Poor air quality is expected to start Tuesday night and may last through Wednesday.

People affected by the smoke and poor air quality may notice eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches and a mild cough. More serious, but less likely, symptoms include wheezing, chest pains and a severe cough. People over the age of 65, pregnant people, young children and people with pre-existing health concerns are more likely to feel the impacts.

Anyone working outdoors is encouraged to reduce strenuous activities.

“When indoors, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible. When there is an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality, prioritize keeping cool,” Environment Canada said.

Canadian health officials monitoring parasite outbreak in the U.S., urge travelers to take precautions

Some healthy staples found in many kitchens are believed to be carrying a problematic parasite in the United States.

Known as “Cyclospora,” the parasite has become a major headache for healthcare providers, with thousands of suspected cases reported across more than 30 states since May 1.

So far, more than 7,000 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported, with outbreaks in Michigan, Ohio, New York and Virginia.

The parasite commonly latches onto fresh produce through irrigation water that has been contaminated with human feces. It’s usually found in subtropical regions like South America, Asia, the Caribbean, and Africa. While thoroughly washing fresh produce seems like a standard procedure, it won’t remove the parasite from the infected plant.

Common culprits include lettuce, cilantro, basil, green onions, raspberries, and snow peas.

“Particularly those that have non-smooth surfaces,” said Lawrence Goodridge, a food safety professor at the University of Guelph. “Things with nooks and crannies.”

Cyclosporiasis isn’t deadly and the symptoms are similar to other foodborne illnesses. However, they can appear within a couple of days and last up to a month or longer.

“Mostly people complain about fairly severe, sometimes explosive diarrhea,” said Dr. Nicola Mercer, the medical officer of health for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health. “And that can make people very ill.”

In Canada, it’s not uncommon to see a handful of cyclosporiasis cases every year. While health officials are closely monitoring the situation both north and south of the border, they’re also urging travelers to stay safe.

“If you’re going into the U.S. right now, avoid uncooked fruit and vegetables,” Mercer said.

“Choose fresh fruits that have smooth surfaces,” Goodridge added. “Things like grapes or perhaps rinds that could be peeled.”

While outbreaks continue in the U.S., Canadian health officials said this could also serve as a reason to buy locally-grown fruits and vegetables to prevent the chance of picking up the parasite from imported produce.