West Region OPP responded to 162 crashes from 7-9 a.m. on Thursday.
Tough weather conditions, plus the usual bad habits of winter drivers – speed and a lack of patience – were contributing factors.
The most serious crash was on Highway 401 between Putnam Road and Culloden Road in Oxford County.
One person sustained serious, non-life threatening injuries and the westbound lanes between Highway 19 and Westchester Bourne were closed for seven hours.
The multi-vehicle collision in Thames Centre blocked all three lanes.
The area experienced snow squalls throughout the day.
That investigation is ongoing.
In South Huron on Wednesday, a tow operator was injured after being struck by a vehicle that failed to remain at the scene, on Airport Line between Huron Street and Thames Road East.
Investigation revealed that the tow operator had removed the suspect vehicle from the ditch, where it was stuck in the snow. While waiting for payment, the driver of the suspect vehicle sped off and struck the tow operator, launching them into the ditch.
The injured tow operator was transported by Huron EMS to a local hospital. Injuries were deemed non-life threatening.
OPP identified the involved vehicle and driver that fled the scene.
Several criminal charges were laid against a 21-year-old male from London on Dec. 6, including dangerous operation of a vehicle, assault with a weapon, failure to stop after an accident and fraud under $5,000.
