Woman critically injured in explosive Ottawa crash caught on camera

Ottawa police say a woman in her 50's suffered life-threatening injuries after a serious single-vehicle crash in the city's east end on Saturday.

The crash happened at approximately 3 p.m. on St. Laurent Boulevard at the intersection of Bourassa Street. 

There were no other injuries reported.

Dashcam footage sent to CTV News shows a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed in the wrong direction before striking a hydro pole and damaging several others.

The crash caused power outages for about 570 customers in the area, Hydro Ottawa said. Rogers also reported fibre internet and phone outages.

The power was restored for most customers by Sunday morning.

Police closed St. Laurent Boulevard in both directions between Innes Road and Lancaster Road until around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Ottawa police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to come forward as an investigation continues.

Anyone with information or who may have other dashcam footage is asked to call police at 613-236-1222, extension 2345, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 to remain anonymous.

Residents out of power, without heat after crash

Residents of 2460 Southvale Crescent reported having no power or heat through the night as crews worked to fix the hydro lines nearby.

Hydro Ottawa restored power by Sunday morning, but the building's backup generator had failed to turn on overnight, forcing residents, including seniors and children, to sleep in the cold.

Outside temperatures in Ottawa reached a low of -13 C in the morning.

Resident Sherry Krichtoff says the building had no power from about 3 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday but a boiler issue kept the heat off throughout the day. The heat was not restored until Sunday afternoon.

"We're stuck in the dark, literally can't see, can't walk, no heat. Things are starting to get really cold," Krichtoff said on Saturday evening.

"I turned on my stove, opened up the door while my son was sleeping so it's safe. Just trying to take precautions, to better us while we can."

Jacqueline Storing, Krichtoff's mother and resident of the apartment building next door also reported a frosty night.

"There's nothing I could do to get warm, no matter how much clothes or blankets you put on, you can feel the cold… I'm tired and I'm sore."

The building is owned and operated by CLV Group. CTV News reached out to the company but did not receive a response.

With files from CTV News Ottawa's Joshua Marano