Two dead, three injured after vehicle struck from behind on Hwy. 401 in Mississauga

An 80-year-old man and 53-year-old woman from Cambridge have died, and one person was airlifted to hospital. Beatrice Vaisman reports.

Two people are dead following a crash on Highway 401 in Mississauga on Wednesday morning, which led to a lengthy closure.

The collision occurred in the eastbound express lanes near Dixie Road shortly after 9 a.m.

In a post on social media, police said two people died in the crash, and three others were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Ontario Provincial Police said the victims, an 80-year-old man and 53-year-old woman from Cambridge, were both passengers in a silver Honda CRV that was struck from behind by a Mercedes SUV.

Police said the driver of the Honda and another passenger were also taken to the hospital. The driver of the Mercedes was airlifted to the hospital as well.

OPP said all their injuries were non-life-threatening.

The eastbound express lanes were closed at Mississauga Road for several hours, causing a significant backup on the highway.

OPP said the highway reopened around 3:40 p.m.

The cause of the collision is under investigation.