‘I just tried to comfort her’: Neighbours recount traumatic experience as crash claims two lives on Longwoods Road

Two people are dead following a crash on Longwoods Road outside of London. CTV's Bryan Bicknell reports.

Two people died after a violent crash on Longwoods Road west of London Tuesday night.

“I just ran outside to see if I could help,” said neighbour Steve St. Denis, who watched as a pickup truck came to rest on its roof seconds after it collided with a small car.

“Ran over to the small car, small sedan, and the guy was already deceased. So I ran over to the pickup truck and I heard a lady just crying out, so I just tried to comfort her and I just held her hand and waited till the paramedics got here,” recounted St. Denis.

St. Denis’s neighbour, Angelo Reis, who lives in the same duplex on Longwoods Road, also sprung into action seconds after the crash.

“Looked out front and there was a car flipped upside down, and a car over here, and they were all smoking so I ran out. My wife, she called 91. And the car had a bit of a flame going, so my neighbour grabbed the fire extinguisher, so I ran over, put that out,” he explained.

According to Middlesex OPP, the crash happened on Longwoods between Brigham Road and Woodhull Road around 8:40 Tuesday evening.

The driver of a car was pronounced dead at the scene. Two people in a pickup truck were taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. One victim later died.

The crash site is located in the municipality of Middlesex Centre, halfway between Lambeth and Delaware. Neighbours point out that this particular stretch of Longwoods is straight, and notorious for speeding and aggressive driving.

“That’s where people like to pass. So, it’s very quick through here, and you always see cars passing,” commented St. Denis.

“Just slow down on these highways,” implored Reis. “It’s like 80 here. I know everybody does upwards of 100. I know, like it’s a straight highway, so a lot of people on their phone,” he said.

Middlesex OPP Const. Jeff Hare tells CTV News the crash remains under investigation, and anyone who may have information is asked to get in touch at 1-888-310-1122. “You know what, we’re always looking for a passerby. Maybe somebody saw something and didn’t think anything of it. Maybe they saw something before the collision. If that’s the case, and you think you might have some information, give us a call,” said Hare.

In the meantime, Steve St. Denis says as devastating as the experience was, he’s glad he could help.

“Looking back on it I was kind of glad I was there for her. I was just comforting her and praying with her, actually,” said St. Denis.