Series of serious crashes in southwestern Ontario leads to plea from provincial police
A string of serious collisions over the last few days has Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) sending a heightened warning to drivers to not let their guards down during the summer months.
A chaotic 72 hours for West Region OPP began with a crash just outside of Woodstock on Sunday. A 30-year-old motorcyclist was killed in the head-on collision with a pickup truck.
Speaking with CTV News on Tuesday, OPP Acting Sgt. Ed Sanchuk said the first two days following the Canada Day long weekend have been concerning.
“Over the last 48 hours, OPP West Region, all the officers here in southwestern Ontario, have responded to approximately 113 crashes," said Sanchuk.
Early Monday morning a single-vehicle crash south of St. Marys sent six people to hospital, including four children, with non-life-threatening injuries.
A 34-year-old man now faces several charges including careless driving and driving without a license.
Sanchuk points to distracted driving as a troubling trend he’s seen on the roads lately.
“Stop being distracted by the radio, stop being distracted by passengers in the motor vehicle, or in some cases cellphones,” he said.
Early Monday afternoon in Oxford County, a car and SUV collided just north of Plattsville. The driver of the car was killed.
“I’m kind of at a loss for words because it’s very difficult to knock on a loved one’s door and say their family member is not coming home as a result of a preventable collision,” Sanchuk said.
In that same crash, three children and an adult were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
“Even as a father, you get to crashes and you see children there and your heart just sinks down to your stomach,” said Sanchuk.
In Hensall, an SUV collided head-on with a bridge guard rail late Monday afternoon, killing the driver. He’s been identified as 48-year-old John Freeswick from Dashwood. Less than a week earlier, an eerily similar crash in Hensall killed 27-year-old Evan Dickins after he collided with a bridge just two concessions north of Monday’s crash.
"Some of the things we’ve seen in my career over the 23 years, I hope nobody ever sees in their lifetime and our officers are seeing more of that on a more regular basis,” said Sanchuk.
Police are making a plea to drivers to take their time and stay alert, offering one simple reminder.
“Nobody is invincible. Nobody is," said Sanchuk.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Police investigating shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.