The man killed when a tire flew off a truck on Highway 400 and hit his SUV has been identified as Paul Koenderman.
Koenderman was a former CEO of the Aecon Industrial Group, a division of the Aecon Group construction company and a former chair of the University of Waterloo’s board of governors.
He was also a former board member of Cambridge and North Dumfries Hydro, and had volunteered with the United Way of Cambridge and North Dumfries.
In a statement, Aecon Group’s CEO said that Koenderman’s leadership left a “lasting legacy” with the company.
“We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends as we share in their loss during this incredibly difficult time,” said Teri McKibbon.
Koenderman had remained with Aecon Industrial as a senior adviser up until his death. His LinkedIn page lists himself as the construction firm’s executive vice-president.
According to a profile on the University of Waterloo website, Koenderman began working at Babcock & Wilbox Canada in 1969, and eventually became the president of that company before leaving for Aecon.
Koenderman joined the school’s board of governors in 2000 and became its chair in 2005, the profile says.
According to the Ontario Provincial Police, Koenderman was driving in the northbound lanes of the 400 in King, north of Toronto, Wednesday morning when he was hit by tandem tires that had fallen from a southbound tractor-trailer.
Koenderman was left trapped in the vehicle, as the impact crushed its hood, crumpled part of its roof and shattered its windshield.
He was freed by paramedics and was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead Wednesday night.
With files from The Canadian Press
