'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
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Ex-SNC executive sentenced to prison term in bridge bribery case
The RCMP says a former SNC-Lavalin executive has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in connection with a bribery scheme for a bridge repair contract in Montreal.