A 28-year-old man has died after being struck by a commercial truck in Ajax on the evening of Aug. 18, Durham Regional Police confirmed.
Crash at Highway 401 off‑ramp closes roadway for hours
Police say officers responded to reports of a pedestrian being struck at about 8:40 p.m. near the intersection of Salem Road and Chambers Drive, where the Highway 401 off‑ramp meets local streets. The victim, who was on roller blades at the time, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The vehicle involved was a 2027 Freightliner driven by a 60‑year‑old man, police said. Investigators reported the truck was exiting the westbound Highway 401 off‑ramp at Salem Road and was making a right turn when it struck the pedestrian. The driver remained at the scene and co‑operated with officers.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date and time | Aug. 18, about 8:40 p.m. |
| Location | Salem Road and Chambers Drive, Ajax (Highway 401 off‑ramp) |
| Vehicle | 2027 Freightliner, driven by a 60‑year‑old man |
| Victim | 28‑year‑old male, on roller blades; pronounced dead at scene |
Investigation ongoing; police seek witnesses
Members of Durham Regional Police Service’s Collision Investigation Unit attended and the roadway was closed for several hours while evidence was collected. Police say the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is ongoing.
“If you witnessed this collision and have not yet spoken with investigators, please contact Durham Regional Police,”
Authorities asked anyone with information to call 905‑579‑1520 or toll‑free at 1‑888‑579‑1520, ext. 5231.
- Emergency crews responded to reports of a pedestrian being struck near the Highway 401 off‑ramp at Salem Road.
- The victim, using roller blades, was pronounced dead at the scene.
- The truck driver remained and co‑operated; the Collision Investigation Unit is handling the probe.
The collision occurred in a busy part of Ajax where local streets meet a major provincial highway. Interchanges like Salem Road and Chambers Drive are used daily by commuters, commercial traffic and local residents travelling to schools, shopping areas and transit links. A fatal crash at such a junction raises concerns about pedestrian and cyclist safety where high‑speed highway traffic interacts with local roads.
Local officials did not release further details about the victim’s identity or any charges against the driver as of the latest update. The Collision Investigation Unit will continue to piece together timeline, vehicle movements and witness accounts to determine how the event unfolded.
For Ajax residents, the incident is a reminder of the risks faced by people using active transportation — from roller blading and biking to walking — in areas adjacent to major traffic arteries. Neighbourhood safety advocates and municipal planners often point to the need for better separation between high‑speed ramps and local pedestrian routes, improved signage, crosswalk visibility and lighting to reduce the likelihood of similar tragedies.
Durham Regional Police continue to ask anyone with dashcam footage, phone video or other information to contact investigators at the numbers above.
