Norwich couple believes reduced speed signs may have prevented tragic crash in Oxford County

Residents where triple-fatal crash occurred Tuesday in Norwich have long complained about the safety and signage of the highway. Bryan Bicknell reports.

The OPP says two teenagers and one adult were killed after a crash on highway 59 in Norwich Tuesday afternoon. Two more individuals are fighting for their lives in hospital.

Neighbours David and Betty Kerr watched the aftermath of what they called a “senseless” and “preventable” tragedy.

“I’m shaken. I was thinking, I was just washing dishes, and three people died about 300 feet away from me,” said Betty.

David says he’s both devastated and angry. He says accidents happen far too often on this stretch of highway in the north end of Norwich.

“We hear the squealing tires We hear the horns. We see the accidents. We pick the debris up off our property, and nothing’s being done,” he said.

OPP say the two-vehicle collision happened Tuesday afternoon at approximately 3 p.m. at Highway 59 and Quaker Street. The driver of an SUV, a 39-year-old from Cambridge, along with a 13- and 17-year-old - both from Tillsonburg - were pronounced dead at the scene.

Two more occupants of the vehicle are in hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver of a transport involved in the crash was not injured.

The crash comes just weeks after Betty appeared before Oxford County Council, where she lobbied successfully to have the speed limit on that stretch of highway 59 reduced from 80 to 60 kilometres per hour.

That was on Feb. 25, and the signage has not yet been changed.

Oxford County Warden Marcus Ryan says the work was already in the queue and is scheduled to be done in about three weeks.

“In addition to reducing that speed we’re going to put up speed feedback signs. The ones that turn red and flash at you’re above the posted speed limit. You go down the posted speed limit, they turn green,” said Ryan.

Ryan also cautioned people from jumping to conclusions about the cause of the collision.

“We need to respect the family’s time and not speculate about what caused it. But also give the OPP time to investigate this and find out what actually happened,” Ryan said.

Whatever the cause, David and Betty Kerr believe it didn’t have to happen.

“Both of us said, ‘You know if it had have been 60 [kilometres an hour] it may have still been an accident, it may not.’ But I don’t think it would have been as serious as it was,” said Betty.

In the meantime, police continue to investigate. Anyone who may have caught the crash on dash-cam or security video is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or visit ontariocrimestoppers.ca.