A 30-year-old man was killed and six other people were taken to hospital after they were involved in a horrific crash in Mississauga on Sunday morning.

Ontario Provincial Police said the Mississauga man was a passenger in a van that was torn apart when five vehicles collided in the QEW's eastbound lanes, near Dixie Road, at about 7:20 a.m.

The van's driver, a 25-year-old man from Beeton, Ont., was in life-threatening condition in hospital.

Police have closed the QEW's eastbound lanes at Cawthra Road for an investigation.

OPP said the van crashed into the back of a parked MTO truck that was protecting a Nissan Murano that broke down in a live lane and was about to be towed from the scene.

The MTO truck is equipped with flashing lights and signs on its rear end to warn approaching motorists.

OPP said the van was ripped open and the driver and passenger were ejected. Debris from the van, including a seat, was scattered across the road.

After striking the MTO truck, the van collided with a Mazda 5 before coming to rest against the left shoulder.

The driver of the Mazda lost control of his vehicle and struck the disabled Nissan Murano, which was pushed forward into the tow truck that was directly in front of it, OPP said in a news release.

The three occupants in the Mazda - a 29-year-old man from Oakville, a 19-year-old woman from Mississauga and a 19-year-old woman from Thunder Bay - and the 51-year-old man who was driving the Murano all suffered minor injuries.

A 25-year-old Bolton man who was driving the MTO truck also suffered minor injuries.

The driver of the tow truck was not injured.

OPP are asking witnesses or anyone with information to call Const. Martin Connell at the Port Credit detachment at 905-278-6131.

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