East Gwillimbury man, 55, critically injured after car veers off Highway 400 in Vaughan

An East Gwillimbury man, 55, suffered critical injuries early Sunday after his car veered off Highway 400 and hit some trees in a ditch in Vaughan.

Ontario Provincial Police said the single vehicle crash occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Highway 400 northbound at Rutherford Road.

Sgt. Kerry Schmidt, spokesperson for the OPP's Highway Safety Division, said police are trying to determine if alcohol was a factor in the serious crash.

Schmidt said the man was seen driving his white Honda Accord "very erratically" before the crash.

Witnesses told police they saw the vehicle travelling north on Highway 400, crossing all lanes.

The driver reportedly had trouble staying in his lane and controlling his vehicle.

When the car crashed, the man became trapped and had to be extricated by emergency crews. He was found without vital signs and was rushed to a trauma centre in Toronto, where he remains in critical condition.

Police closed the northbound Highway 400 off-ramp to Rutherford Road until 4 a.m. to allow officers to investigate.

Anyone with information is urged to call the OPP at (905) 841-5777.