5:50 P.M. Friday August 12
Lennox and Addington OPP say Highway 401 east will be closed well into the night after a multi-vehicle collision eastbound around 4 p.m.
One person was killed and several people suffered unknown injuries in the crash which occurred just east of Belleville.
Twitter accounts from local scanner monitors reported as many as 10 vehicles involved.
Highway 401 east is closed between Shannonville and Marysville roads.
A press release from Lennox and Addington OPP states the closure will be in effect for an extended period due to the severity of the crash and the ongoing investigation.
Police are asking motorists to avoid the area if possible.
If heading east, consider diverting to Highway 7 at Belleville, via Highway 37.
If drivers are caught in the traffic backup, police ask you to exercise caution and patience and do not turn around and attempt to drive the wrong way to exit the highway.
Officers are also asking motorists to follow the posted Emergency Detour Route (EDR) and do not follow GPS navigation, as some alternate routes may not be able to handle the high volume of traffic. Officers will work to clear the backlog as quickly as possible.
The 401 east was also shut down in Napanee throughout the day as police worked to clear an accident involving a tractor trailer and another vehicle which occurred in the early morning hours. That accident closed the 401 east until 3:30 p.m.
Update: At 2 a.m., the 401 eastbound re-opened the left lane.
Update: At 7:30 a.m., both lanes of the Highway 401 eastbound were re-opened.
