Don Valley Parkway reopens after hours-long closure, police warn of slippery roads

The Don Valley Parkway has reopened after a multi-vehicle crash closed the major Toronto highway for several hours during a snowy morning commute on Tuesday.

Emergency crews were called to the scene near Eastern Avenue shortly before 5:30 a.m. as a blast of wintry weather brought flurries to the city.

The cause of the crash is unclear, but police say slippery road conditions may have been a factor. At least one person was taken to a trauma centre with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

The DVP’s southbound lanes were closed all the way north to Don Mills Road, and the remaining stand-still traffic was diverted onto Richmond Street.

Police say a second crash was reported just minutes after the first in the eastbound lanes of the Gardiner Expressway near York Street. Three vehicles were involved in that collision, but no injuries have been reported.

Officers also responded to a two-car crash in the area of Bayview Avenue and Pottery Road. One person was treated for an injury at the scene, according to paramedics.

Police said Bayview Avenue remains closed between Moore Avenue and Rosedale Valley Road due to the slippery conditions.

“We’re asking anyone who has to go out and travel to slow down, pack your patience, and drive with care,” Const. Ashley Visser said in a video posted to social media.

A winter weather travel advisory issued for Toronto has been lifted, but Environment Canada said local snowfall amounts of two to four centimetres are expected by day’s end.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said in a separate video that provincial police are responding to crashes “all across” the region, including some vehicles that have rolled over and tractor-trailers that have jackknifed in the blowing snow.

Schmidt said the snow is coming down in “very narrow bands” and affecting specific areas, with driving conditions changing from region to region.

“So wherever you are, be prepared for changing road conditions, weather conditions, driving conditions,” he said.