Toronto police say a man is facing charges after a luxury sport utility truck knocked down an overhead sign in an unusual crash that created major problems during Friday morning's commute.
The toppled sign blocked all of the Gardiner Expressway's westbound lanes until it was removed several hours later. Until the lanes reopened at about 10 a.m., police were forcing drivers to exit near the Humber River bridge.
Traffic services Const. Clint Stibbe said the sign fell at about 5 a.m. when a Cadillac Escalade EXT mounted the curb, went onto the guardrail and struck the base of the sign on the side of the road.
After the crash, the driver ditched the truck on the side of the expressway and ran away from the scene, but he was taken into custody a short time later, Stibbe told CP24.
The man suffered cuts and scrapes and was assessed by paramedics at the scene, but he did not have to be transported to hospital.
Honeymooning couple crashes into sign
In addition to causing a major traffic problem, the situation created a scare for a pair of newlyweds from Italy.
After the sign was knocked over, it was struck by a rental car occupied by a husband and wife who were honeymooning in southern Ontario, traffic services Const. Clint Stibbe told CP24.
Stibbe said the husband and wife were driving to Pearson International Airport to catch a flight home when they crashed into the sign moments after it fell.
The newlyweds were not injured.
Despite the crash, it appears they were able to catch their flight.
Stibbe said firefighters drove the couple to the airport to make sure they were able to fly home on time.
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