Appeal for witnesses.
— Sgt Kerry Schmidt (@OPP_HSD) February 1, 2018
Looking for driver of Silver/Beige Honda Civic license plate #CEAT??? https://t.co/HsItyhs0Ui
Investigators are closer to identifying a vehicle that might have played a key role in last Saturday's deadly crash on the QEW.
Authorities believe the collision was the direct result of 'road rage.'
The OPP is out with a clearer description of a car that witnesses claim was traveling in the eastbound lanes through Mississauga, when it swerved into the left lane and in front of a line of vehicles.
Allegations are the driver then slammed on the brakes, causing a 5-vehicle pile-up that killed 22-year old Humber College student Nicole Turcotte.
Turcotte's boyfriend and his sister were hurt, along with 5 others.
The driver who hit the brakes allegedly sped away.
Police describe the 'vehicle of interest' as a silver or beige 4-door Honda Civic.
Detectives believe the model is from 2010 or newer, and has a license plate that begins with CEAT, followed by several numbers.
OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt says investigators have been 'flooded' with tips since last weekend.
They've reviewed video footage from dashboard cameras, tape from highway cameras, and taken new statements from witnesses.
Schmidt isn't prepared to say how much closer police might be to tracking down the owner of the vehicle, but he hopes that whoever was behind the wheel comes forward.
"They may have an explanation that we're not aware of," says Schmidt.
"We want to find out what was happening on the highway around 10:00pm, why there was a slow-down ... and how we can prevent this from ever happening again."
Schmidt has described the driver's alleged manoeuvre as 'aggressive,' but says it is up to detectives and Crown prosecutors to decide whether or not that person will face charges.
"It's still very early on and we still have a lot work to compile ... we'll continue working on this case until we have answers," Schmidt says.
Turcotte's family is raising money through an online fundraiser to help with the cost of her funeral.
Friends and loved ones will gather to pay tribute to her memory next Monday in Turcotte's hometown of Niagara Falls.