'It’s devastating': Community in mourning after fatal crash in Oxford County
The Township of East-Zorra Tavistock and the surrounding community are in mourning after a fatal crash took the lives of a police officer and a bus driver.
“Doing their jobs and tragically losing their lives. It’s just heartbreaking,” East Zorra-Tavistock Mayor Phil Schaefer said. “It’s devastating. Especially for anybody who knew these gentlemen.”
People in the community who spoke to CTV News Tuesday say they're taking time to remember the two men who died in the crash, OPP Det. Const. Steven Tourangeau and bus driver Dave Stewart.
“It was just really horrific and we’re certainly waiting on more details, because we hadn’t heard a lot of what caused it. But just a really sad and tragic loss of life,” Jasmine Moulton, a Woodstock resident, said.
“It’s very sad, and our hearts go out for the bus driver and for the police officer,” said Patty Swarts, who also lives in Woodstock.
“Awful, I’m glad there was no children on the bus,” Doris Blackmore said.
“Obviously very upsetting for the family. This is an ongoing event for this intersection,” Innerkip resident Joesy Fitzgeorge said.
The intersection where the crash happened, Highway 59 and Oxford Road 33, is known to people who live nearby as an extremely dangerous location.
“It seems like traffic is getting a lot busier, and certainly as a mom of two it’s really scary to think of, especially with a school bus, the thought of sending kids to school on busy roads,” Moulton said.
An aerial view shows the the scene of a crash on Oxford Road 33 and Highway 59 on Monday, May 29. (CTV Kitchener)
According to Oxford County, the intersection will become a four-way stop before the end of June. Those who use the road almost every day, said that will be a welcomed change.
“I personally know a few people that have been in accidents at that intersection. I take that intersection very frequently. It is very unsafe. You sometimes can’t see traffic. People are always flying up and down that road,” Fitzgeorge said.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of these two individuals. Hopefully now things can be changed and this can make a difference,” Fitzgeorge added.
While residents are encouraged by the planned change, many say even more safety features are needed, including potentially more warning signs or a roundabout.
“I think they don’t have enough stops coming east and west,” Swarts said.
Oxford County said it will continue monitoring traffic in the area to see if additional safety improvements are needed.
“Oxford County is listening to the community’s concerns and responding. We made some immediate adjustments in January and the remainder of the safety improvements to this intersection will be in place before the end of June. Through our ongoing technical study dating back to 2021, and in adherence to Ontario Ministry of Transportation guidelines, the current annual traffic volume and related factors do not meet the threshold level which triggers the requirement for a roundabout. Having said that, that is a potential future option pending changes in future vehicular traffic conditions. As we do across the County road network, we’ll continue to closely monitor traffic patterns and volume for this intersection on an annual basis and may need to undertake that option,” David Simpson, director of public works for Oxford County, said in an email.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.