Several collisions during commutes with wind kicking up fresh snow
Posted Dec 11, 2025 12:10:09 PM.
Last Updated Dec 11, 2025 12:10:14 PM.
A snowy afternoon commute on Wednesday turned into a slippery, icy one on Thursday morning.
A low-pressure system brought heavy snowfall to the Ottawa area, accumulating quickly on roadways during peak travel times on Dec. 10. Environment Canada data shows about 11.6 centimetres fell at the Ottawa International Airport.
According to Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), officers were responding to “numerous” crashes on Highway 417 from the wintry conditions. Constable Michael Fathi told CityNews that officers have responded to 17 crashes, all minor in nature, since 6:00 p.m. Wednesday.
A photo shared by Fathi shows messy conditions in the afternoon and a crash blocking the left lane of the highway. In that incident, the driver needed to be sent to hospital with minor injuries. Police had to coordinate the situation because the man had his dog in the vehicle.
Fathi said the dog was okay and that an officer on scene took the dog home to the man’s wife while he went to the hospital.
On Thursday morning, police said they’ve continued to respond to multiple minor collisions, many of which are vehicles sliding into ditches.
A more serious collision involving a jack-knifed tractor-trailer is blocking lanes on Highway 401 east of Cornwall, Ont. OPP say people should expect delays, but no injuries are reported.
