OPP charge driver in crash that injured CTV reporter Stephanie Villella
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Wellington County have laid a charge in the crash that sent CTV News Kitchener reporter Stephanie Villella to hospital with life-threatening injuries earlier this year.
On Saturday, OPP released a video on Twitter announcing a 92-year-old driver from Guelph was charged with careless driving causing bodily harm in connection with the March 1 crash in Puslinch Township.
Stephanie was covering a separate earlier crash at the intersection of Brock Road South and Maltby Road near Guelph.
The road was closed and barricaded for the investigation.
OPP report Stephanie was standing at the northern point of the scene when a southbound vehicle struck her.
She was sent to a trauma centre for treatment.
The driver of the sedan remained at the scene.
Stephanie is recovering from her injuries. CTV News continues to respect her family’s wishes for privacy at this time, sharing updates only with her family’s consent.
READ MORE: Road closure and emergency detour signs, what motorists should do when they come across them
In the video released on Saturday, OPP Const. Joshua Cunningham stressed the importance of following road closure signage, with the signage erected with people’s safety in mind.
"We remind people quite regularly to not drive past road closed barricades," Const. Cunningham told CTV news. "Don't follow the driver in front of you. You don't know if that driver may have purpose there. They may be driving to the scene to assist. We have a lot of drivers that seem to be following the herd and they'll follow around because someone in front of them did it. It doesn't matter if someone else does something, that doesn't necessarily mean its the right thing for you.
"If you see a road closure sign, find an alternate route."
Editor's note: The thoughts of our CTV News Kitchener team continue to be with Stephanie and her family, and we wish her a full and speedy recovery.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city, marking the first franchise in Canada
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.