Highway 401 eastbound collector lanes reopen after pedestrian killed

Police have reopened the eastbound collector lanes of Highway 401 between Highway 400 and Jane Street after a man was struck and killed early Tuesday morning.

The incident began around 3:30 a.m., when motorists called in to police reporting that a vehicle was travelling erratically on the eastbound 401 near Islington Avenue, according to OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt.

The car had a flat tire and was driving on one of its rims, Schmidt told reporters at the scene.

CBC Toronto video producer Tony Smyth noticed the car travelling south on Islington Avenue and then proceed onto the eastbound 401.

Around Weston Road, Smyth noticed the rubber from the flat tire had separated from the rim, sending sparks shooting out.

The car came to a stop on the left shoulder near Highway 400. The male driver got out and "was struck by several vehicles," Schmidt said. Asked by a reporter how many, Schmidt said "at least five."

A truck and a handful of cars remained at the scene, according to Smyth.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Schmidt could not provide further details on the victim's identity, other than his gender.

The highway was closed for nearly four hours as a collision reconstruction unit investigated.