Kitchener pedestrian in critical condition after motorist drove through closure barricade

Investigations are underway, and the search is ongoing for a motorist, all after a Kitchener pedestrian was struck by a vehicle that drove through a road closure barricade in Perth County.

The details come from Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) about the incident on Thursday afternoon at around 4:20 p.m., when officers were called about a serious crash involving a pedestrian on Line 34 between Roads 104 and 106, just between Shakespeare and New Hamburg.

Emergency services arrived on scene to find a 65-year-old Kitchener resident who had been struck, found to be in critical condition and suffering life-threatening injuries.

That individual was taken to hospital in Stratford for treatment.

At the scene, early investigations found that the vehicle in question drove around a road closure barricade that was installed following an earlier crash, striking the pedestrian in the process.

At this time, no details have been provided on the vehicle or the driver who struck the pedestrian, with police asking anyone with details on the incident or who has dashcam or security footage in the surrounding area to give them a call.

“The scene remains closed to traffic, and motorists are encouraged to find an alternate route,” said Sergeant Ed Sanchuk with West Region OPP, in a post on social media.

“Further updates in this ongoing investigation will be provided when available.”

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Sanchuk, while at the scene of the collision, said it wasn’t the only crash that happened in the area that day, with a multi-vehicle crash leading to the initial road closure earlier in the day, and yet another crash occurring while he was on scene for the pedestrian collision.

“I’d also like to note that, while standing here speaking about this incident, another vehicle at the other end where this road is closed just failed ot stop at the barricades and collided with a vehicle blocking the roadway,” Sanchuk said.

“Thankfully, no injuries were reported.”

He stated that collisions, including the list that occurred on Line 34, were all preventable, and drivers need to be following the rules of the road for everyone’s safety.

“Drivers need to slow down and pay attention, so these unnecessary and preventable collisions are avoided. Driving is a privilege, not a right,” he said.

“Each and every time you get behind the wheel, always make sure that you put your safety as a priority, and always pay attention to your surroundings.”

Anyone with details on the list of collisions, including the vehicle involved in the pedestrian collision, is asked to contact OPP at 1-888-310-1122.