A fatal accident that claimed 11 lives near Stratford Monday is being blamed on driver error.
During a Wednesday morning news conference, Ontario Provincial Police Chief Supt. John Cain said the driver of the 15 seat passenger van involved in the collision had just ran a stop sign when he was broadsided by a southbound flatbed truck at Perth Road 107 and Line 47 in Hampstead.
The driver was not properly licensed to be driving a 15 seat passenger van as he only possessed a standard Ontario driver's license, Cain added.
In total 11 people died as a result of the crash, including both drivers.
"This crash did not need to happen and these lives need not have been lost," Cain said. "This tragedy underscores the importance of maintaining safe driving practices at all times. As we have seen, tragically in this case, failure to follow the rules of the road can have a regrettable impact on lives."
The people killed in the passenger van were all Peruvian migrant workers, police say.
They were identified Wednesday as:
- David Armando Blancas Hernandez, 45
- Jose Mercedes Valdiviezeo Taboa, 49
- Cesar Augusto Sanchez Palacios, 53
- Enrique Arturo Leon, 47
- Corsino Jaramillo, 47
- Mario Abril, 48
- Oscar Compomanes Corzo, age unknown
- Juan Castillo, age unknown
- Elvio Bravo Suncion, age unknown
- Fernando Correa, age unknown
Police continue to investigate the collision and have not ruled out driver fatigue and distraction as factors.
An event data recorder, which was on board the van, could provide additional answers, OPP Insp. Scott Lawson said.
"There are a lot more questions than there are answers at this point, Lawson said.
On Wednesday police would not say who owned the passenger van or whether it was properly insured, citingtheir ongoing investigation.
Const. Max Gomez did provide an update on the condition of the three survivors, saying two remain in critical condition while one is now in stable condition.
