A North Bay father of nine children has been positively identified as one of three people killed in last week's fiery crash on Highway 400.
The OPP announced Monday afternoon that the coroner has confirmed that 37-year-old Benjamin Dunn was killed.
Dunn was the driver of the first fuel tanker, according to OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt.
The multi-fatality, 14-vehicle chain reaction crash, including two fully loaded fuel tanker trucks, happened last Tuesday around 11:30 p.m. on the northbound 400 between Highway 88 and Highway 89.
The collision caused a massive fireball and subsequent explosions and a fire that burned for nearly three hours.
"Due to the veracity of fire identification was difficult and is continuing to be time consuming and meticulous," said Schmidt.
"We're working with the coroner. We certainly have a very good idea as to who the victims are. But until the coroner can make that positive identification we won't be releasing names. We have been in touch with all family members involved," he said.
As for Benjamin Dunn's family members, Schmidt said police had contacted them almost immediately.
"We 've been in touch with the family from the day we suspected it was indeed him in that vehicle, as did the family," Schmidt said.
"The investigation is ongoing but due to the fire, identification is very difficult."
The names of the remaining two deceased that were involved in this collision in separate vehicles will be forthcoming.
"One of them I hope to have confirmed within the next couple of days. The other one could take longer because of the research and the efforts that will go into identifying them," Schmidt said
Schmidt said there is no word yet on whether charges will be laid or are pending.
"The investigation as to who caused this collision, what caused this collision, what were the circumstances that were around this collision are still ongoing," he said
The OPP are are conducting a forensic investigation and speaking with witnesses.
Investigators are appealing to any witnesses who have not yet spoken to police to come forward and contact the Aurora OPP.
"There were so many people on that scene, essentially running for their lives as a sheet and a wall of fire came rolling towards them as the fuel was pouring out of these trailers," said Schmidt.
