Part of 401 closed in southern Ontario after wheel flies off car

A flying wheel has left two people seriously injured.

Today (July 20), the OPP announced part of the westbound 401 remains closed near Newtonville Road in Clarington following a serious two-vehicle crash caused by a detached wheel.

ROAD CLOSURE: #Hwy401 EB near Newtonville Rd in #Clarington is closed following a serious two-vehicle collision.

An eastbound vehicle lost a wheel assembly, which crossed into the westbound lanes and struck a passing vehicle.

The driver and passenger of the westbound vehicle… pic.twitter.com/SDlYqEK1zw

— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) July 20, 2026

Police said that the crash, which took place on a stretch of highway in Durham Region, just east of Toronto, occurred after a vehicle travelling east lost a wheel assembly.

According to police, the object crossed into the westbound lanes and struck a passing vehicle.

OPP say the driver and passenger of the westbound vehicle sustained serious injuries and were transported to hospital.

The left lanes of westbound 401 remain closed for the investigation, but a recent update by police indicates that the eastbound side of the roadway has reopened.

In a post on X, police said all westbound traffic is being diverted off at Newtonville Road, and motorists can get back on the westbound side of the 401 at Mill Street.

People are asked to avoid the area.

Commuters should expect significant delays and use alternate routes, police say. 

Police have been called to other incidents on the 401 in Durham in recent days. Last week, the OPP announced that officers were appealing for witnesses after a road rage incident involving a gun on the 401 in Ajax on Thursday morning.

Police say two vehicles – a black Ford Escape and a black Honda Civic – were involved in a minor collision near Salem Road and Kingston Road at approximately 9:20 a.m. on July 16.

The vehicles continued onto the westbound express lanes, where one of the drivers was allegedly seen brandishing a firearm and shots were allegedly fired.

UPDATE:

Wheel off collision investigation#Hwy401 EB and WB closed between Mill St and Newtonville Rd in #Clarington.
An EB vehicle lost a wheel assembly, which crossed into the westbound lanes and struck a passing vehicle.

The two occupants in the WB vehicle, both 70-years-old driver… pic.twitter.com/vUkCf64yA0

— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) July 20, 2026