Ontario Construction News staff writer
Police have arrested a 24-year-old man in connection with a hit-and-run that left a construction worker with life-altering injuries. The incident happened in the eastbound collector lanes of Highway 401 near Victoria Park Avenue shortly before 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
In a video update posted to Twitter on Wednesday, OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt confirmed that a suspect has now been taken into custody in connection with the incident and was scheduled to appear in court for a bail hearing.
A 24-year-old man from Markham remains in hospital. At the time of the crash, construction crews were completing a lane realignment and road painting on the highway .
According to a CityNews report, other workers at the site applied a tourniquet to the victim’s severely injured leg before paramedics arrived, likely saving his life.
A full highway closure was in place at about 3:30 a.m. and police said the driver went through the barriers at a high rate of speed at Leslie Street and sped through the off lanes before striking the construction worker who was out of his vehicle working on the highway.
The black Corvette that hit the man then fled the scene. Anyone with information should call Toronto OPP at 416-235-4981.
“if you know anyone with a black Corvette, today would be a good day to check that their vehicle does not have any fresh damage on the front,” Schmidt said. “If it does, please call police.”
According to records from the Ministry of Transportation (MTO), the stretch of highway had been closed for construction since 11 p.m. Monday. Witnesses told police they saw the Corvette speeding on Warden Avenue a short time after the collision.