Fatal wrong-way crash shuts down Highway 401 in Kingston for hours

Highway reopened early this afternoon

UPDATE: A fatal crash on Highway 401 in Kingston closed the westbound lanes for several hours Friday.

The Ontario Provincial Police say the collision happened shortly before 3 a.m. on September 12, 2025, just west of the Highway 15 interchange. A pickup truck traveling the wrong way collided head-on with a tractor trailer in the westbound lanes.

The driver of the pickup truck was pronounced dead at the scene. Their identity has not been confirmed. The driver of the tractor trailer was taken to hospital with injuries that police say are not life-threatening.

The westbound lanes of Highway 401 were shut down between Highway 32 in Gananoque and Montreal Street in Kingston to allow OPP Collision Reconstructionists and Technical Collision Investigators to examine the scene. The highway reopened around 1:30 p.m.

Police are asking anyone with information or dashcam video to contact Frontenac OPP at 1-888-310-1122, citing incident E251241421.

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Original article: A serious crash and fire shut down the westbound lanes of Highway 401 in Kingston early Friday morning.

The Frontenac Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police said officers and emergency crews were called shortly before 3 a.m. A tractor trailer and a pickup truck collided in the westbound lanes, sparking a fire.

Police confirmed that at least one person suffered life-threatening injuries. The full extent of injuries has not been released.

Highway 401 westbound will remain closed for several hours between Joyceville Rd. in Gananoque and Battersea Rd./Montreal Street in Kingston. Drivers are being urged to avoid the area and use alternate routes.

Minor roadway repairs may be needed before the highway reopens. Crews remain on scene as the investigation continues.

The OPP say further updates will be provided as more information becomes available. We will have on air updates throughout the morning during 401 Traffic and Weather together.