Weather to blame for multi-vehicle collisions in Barrie: police

Image 0 of 5

Police shutdown Veterans Drive due to multiple crashes in Barrie, Ont., on Mon., Feb. 17, 2025. (CTV News/Steve Mansbridge)

Blowing snow creates reduced visibility on a road in Barrie, Ont., on Mon., Feb. 17, 2025. (CTV News/Steve Mansbridge)

A 60km/h speed limit road sign is nearly buried under snow in Barrie, Ont. (CTV News/Steve Mansbridge)

Police shutdown Veterans Drive due to multiple crashes in Barrie, Ont., on Mon., Feb. 17, 2025. (CTV News/Steve Mansbridge)

Police shutdown Veterans Drive due to multiple crashes in Barrie, Ont., on Mon., Feb. 17, 2025. (CTV News/Steve Mansbridge)

Barrie police closed two areas in the city Monday afternoon due to separate multi-vehicle collisions reportedly caused by the weather.

Police posted to social media that Veteran’s Drive between Walker Road and McKay Road and Yonge Street between Mapleview Drive East and Lockhart Road were closed due to collisions that happened around 2:30 p.m.

Eight vehicles were involved in the collision, police say, prompting the road closure. One person was taken to the hospital.

Minutes later, two separate collisions were reported along Yonge Street between Mapleview Drive East and Lockhart Road. Again, police say eight vehicles became entangled in the crash. Three people were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Police say weather was “definitely” a factor. They say no one appears to have sustained serious injuries in either crash.

One hour before the collisions, police issued a request to the public to refrain from unnecessary travel as snow squalls continue to hit the region. Police said the conditions were creating near-zero visibility on the roads in some areas.

Both roads reopened around 5 p.m.

The local police service urged motorists to adjust their driving to the weather conditions. “It is also important should you encounter extreme weather to reduce your speed, increase the distance between your car and the one you are following, drive according to the weather you are experiencing and if possible, simply stay where you are until the weather conditions improve.”