Loose Tire Strikes SUV, Injures Two, Closes Highway 401 Westbound Lanes in Clarington

A loose tire crossed Highway 401 and struck an SUV in Clarington, Ont., on Monday, leaving two people injured and forcing police to close the westbound lanes.

Highway 401 Collision Near Newtonville Road

Ontario Provincial Police said the tire came off an eastbound vehicle at about 11:30 a.m. before travelling into the westbound lanes near Newtonville Road.

The tire then slammed into a passing SUV. Police said the SUV’s two occupants suffered serious and minor injuries and were taken to hospital.

UPDATE (12:13 p.m.): #Hwy401 WB lanes are now fully closed at Newtonville Rd. EB lanes are now open. An investigation is ongoing following a two-vehicle collision involving a loose tire. Two people were transported to hospital, with serious and minor injuries. ^pia

— OPP GTA Traffic (@OPP_GTATraffic) July 20, 2026

Images from the collision scene showed extensive damage to the SUV. Most of the windshield appeared shattered, while sections of the vehicle’s roof were crushed.

Westbound Highway 401 Lanes Remain Closed

Police initially closed lanes in both directions as emergency crews responded and investigators examined the scene.

The eastbound lanes have since reopened. The westbound lanes remained closed at Newtonville Road on Monday afternoon.

The OPP urged motorists travelling through the Clarington area east of Toronto to avoid the affected section of Highway 401 and use alternate routes until the roadway reopens.