1 dead in Highway 401 crash near Prescott

One driver is dead in a collision between two transport trucks and a tanker truck carrying petroleumon Highway 401 near Prescott, Ont., Thursday afternoon.

All three vehicles were travelling west on the highway when the collision happened shortly after 1 p.m., according to OPP Const. Suzanne Runcimanof the Grenville County Detachment.

One driver died at the scene.Runcimancould not say which vehicle that driver was operating.

Highway 401was closed in both directions between Maitland and Prescott, but at about5:30 p.m., all but one ofthe eastbound lanes had reopened.

The rest of the highway opened back up overnight.

Because the collision resulted ina fuel spill requiring cleanup,the eastbound lanes were initially closed as a precaution, Runcimansaid.

The fuel in the tanker did not ignite, she said.

Police continue to investigate the cause of the collision.

Augusta Fire Services are asking drivers to follow assigned detour routes.