Series of serious crashes in southwestern Ontario leads to plea from provincial police
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
Vatican shelves sexual assault probe into Cardinal Marc Ouellet
There is not enough evidence to open a formal church investigation into sexual assault allegations against Quebec Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Pope Francis said Thursday. The pontiff issued his statement through Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See press office.
Closed-door national security committee of parliamentarians reviewing spyware use
Parliament's top-secret national security committee is launching a review into federal agencies' ability to intercept private communications, on the heels of the RCMP revealing it has been using spyware as part of major investigations, for decades.
Advocates say use of NDAs should be banned in sexual misconduct settlements
In the wake of the Hockey Canada scandal, some advocates are calling for the use of non-disclosure agreements to be banned or restricted in settlement agreements in cases involving abuse.
BREAKING
BREAKING | Trump Organization CFO pleads guilty in tax evasion case
A top executive at former U.S. President Donald Trump's family business pleaded guilty Thursday to evading taxes in a deal with prosecutors that could potentially make him a star witness against the company at a trial this fall.
Majority of people with Omicron don't know they have it: study
A new study has found that more than half of people infected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 were unaware they had it. Undiagnosed infections could be the reason why the variant spread so rapidly, according to researchers.
Canada-wide shortage of liquid Children's Tylenol now also impacting chewables
A nationwide shortage of liquid Children’s Tylenol is also impacting generic chewables, with Quebec-based Laboratoire Riva reporting a shortage due to rising demand.
Ukraine's Zelenskyy hosts talks with UN chief, Turkey leader
Turkey's president and the UN chief met with Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy on Thursday in a high-stakes bid to ratchet down a war raging for nearly six months, boost desperately needed grain exports and secure the safety of Europe's biggest nuclear power plant.
Ontario releases plan to stabilize health-care system amid bed and staffing shortages
The next phase of Ontario's 'Plan to Stay Open' involves transferring of seniors from hospital to alternative long-term care homes, the hiring of thousands of health-care workers and a pledge to reduce surgical backlog.
No drugs, just lots of dancing at 'wild' party: Finland PM Sanna Marin
Finland's prime minister says she did not take any drugs during a 'wild' party in a private home, adding she did nothing wrong when letting her hair down and partying with friends.
London
-
Two people, one horse injured following Elgin County crash
OPP in Elgin County are on scene of a crash involving an electric bike and a pickup truck hauling a livestock trailer. According to police, two people and one horse were injured in the crash that happened just after 7 a.m. at a Lyons Line, Malahide Township address
-
London man arrested in St. Catharines after armed robbery in North Bay: Police
A London, Ont. man has been arrested in St. Catharines in relation to an armed robbery in North Bay. On Aug. 16, Niagara Regional Police Service notified officers in St. Catharines that a wanted person may be in the area. On Aug. 17, police found and arrested a suspect in the area of Montebello Park, in St. Catharines.
-
Sarnia mayor seeking another term
Thirty-four years on the job and Sarnia mayor Mike Bradley is looking for more.
Windsor
-
'He's done something terrible': Windsor man pleads guilty to hate crimes against LGBTQ community
Seth Bertrand, 19, pleaded guilty Wednesday to five charges, including “inciting hatred” and mischief for his actions against the home of a same sex couple and the Windsor office of Trans Wellness Ontario.
-
28 bricks of cocaine seized at Ambassador Bridge
Border officers arrested two people after discovering a duffle bag with 28 bricks of suspected cocaine in a commercial truck at the Ambassador Bridge border crossing between Windsor and Detroit.
-
Two drivers charged after two crashes on Highway 401 in Lakeshore
Essex County OPP have charged two drivers after two crashes on Highway 401 in Lakeshore.
Barrie
-
Serious crash forces closure along Highway 11 near Washago
OPP said northbound lanes will be closed at County Road 169 until further notice.
-
Former boyfriend accused in disappearance of missing woman seeks bail
Mohamad Lilo is charged with attempted murder, attempted kidnapping and kidnapping related to the disappearance of Elnaz Hajtamiri; who hasn’t been seen or heard from since Jan. 12.
-
Innisfil's Wilson Street Kids 1K Fun Run
Nancy Moses loves to run, so gathering a dozen children together in 2010 for a one-kilometre race around Wilson Street in Innisfil seemed like a fun thing to do.
Northern Ontario
-
Northern Ont. MPP begs province to stop the closure remote community's only health care option
With another small northern Ontario community set to lose its only health care provider at the end of the month, Nickel Belt MPP France Gelinas is begging the province for help.
-
Majority of people with Omicron don't know they have it: study
A new study has found that more than half of people infected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 were unaware they had it. Undiagnosed infections could be the reason why the variant spread so rapidly, according to researchers.
-
As home prices drop, here's what you can get in Canada's most affordable markets
CTVNews.ca has compiled a list of homes in some of the most affordable regions across Canada, as many real estate markets see drops in average prices.
Ottawa
-
Freedom Convoy-affiliated group being evicted from Ottawa church
The owner of a historic church in Ottawa's Lowertown neighbourhood is evicting a group with ties to the 'Freedom Convoy' occupation planning to purchase the property this fall, in an apparent dispute over unpaid rent for the facility.
-
Hungry bear takes out birdfeeder in Kanata backyard
Bob Barter sent CTV News Ottawa video of the black bear poking the birdfeeder in the backyard of his home in the Katimavik neighbourhood.
-
Ontario releases plan to stabilize health-care system amid bed and staffing shortages
The next phase of Ontario's 'Plan to Stay Open' involves transferring of seniors from hospital to alternative long-term care homes, the hiring of thousands of health-care workers and a pledge to reduce surgical backlog.
Toronto
-
Ontario releases plan to stabilize health-care system amid bed and staffing shortages
The next phase of Ontario's 'Plan to Stay Open' involves transferring of seniors from hospital to alternative long-term care homes, the hiring of thousands of health-care workers and a pledge to reduce surgical backlog.
-
Here's the reaction to Ontario's health-care system changes
Ontario health-care workers, advocates and politicians say they are "deeply troubled" by the slew of health-care and long-term care announcements released Thursday.
-
Ontario nursing college proposes to temporarily register international nurses
Ontario's nursing college is proposing to register potentially thousands of internationally trained nurses on a temporary basis.
Montreal
-
Vatican shelves sexual assault probe into Cardinal Marc Ouellet
There is not enough evidence to open a formal church investigation into sexual assault allegations against Quebec Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Pope Francis said Thursday. The pontiff issued his statement through Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See press office.
-
2 dead in Laurentians in presumed domestic violence, children in youth protection
A case of alleged domestic violence has left two people dead and two children in youth protection in Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac.
-
Supreme Court to review mandatory minimum penalty for child luring offence
The Supreme Court of Canada will examine the constitutionality of a minimum sentence for the offence of child luring. The top court has agreed to review the case of a Quebec man, identified only as H.V., who pleaded guilty to a child luring offence committed in 2017.
Atlantic
-
Saint John Police investigating Wednesday afternoon homicide
Police say three unidentified masked men with dark clothing forced their way into an apartment where 39-year-old Justin David Breau was stabbed. The suspects ran away towards Garden Street before police arrived.
-
Horizon ups its recruitment game, says it’s paying off with 1,300 recruits in five months
New Brunswick’s largest health authority is touting big recruitment numbers, saying its focus on attracting and hiring more healthcare workers, using a variety of incentives, is finally paying off.
-
Kalin's Call: Rain totals widely varied across Maritimes; sunnier, hotter weather ahead for weekend
The mid-week low-pressure system brought downpours and washouts to parts of the Maritimes, and barely a few millimetres of rain for others.
Winnipeg
-
LIVE NOW
LIVE NOW | Manitoba's minimum wage increasing this fall
Manitoba's minimum wage is going up this fall.
-
'We're going to stay': member of Manitoba Legislature encampments plans to fight eviction notices
A member of the encampments on the Manitoba Legislature grounds handed eviction notices says they plan on staying put and fighting the move.
-
$39 million wastewater treatment plant to benefit four Manitoba communities
A new wastewater treatment is in the works for rural Manitoba that will service four communities in the southeastern part of the province.
Calgary
-
Woman killed, man injured in early morning Evergreen shooting
Calgary police are investigating a shooting in the community of Evergreen that left one person dead and another fighting for their life.
-
Flames reportedly near deal with Nazem Kadri, Monahan going to Montreal
The Calgary Flames are making some big moves as there are reports that star centre Nazem Kadri will be joining the team while another says a long-time member will be leaving.
-
UCP government invests $2M in Kananaskis children's camp
A camp west of Calgary that provides children, youth and their families with activities and programs through the spring, summer and fall will enjoy some new investment from the Alberta government.
Edmonton
-
Judge sides with Enbridge Inc. in Michigan's latest effort to halt Line 5 pipeline
A judge in Michigan has ruled in favour of Enbridge Inc. in the company's long-running dispute with the state over the Line 5 cross-border pipeline. Proponents, including Canada's federal government, call Line 5 a vital and indispensable source of energy for Ontario, Quebec and several Midwestern states.
-
Edmonton Somali community mourns 14-year-old boy who drowned
A service was held Wednesday for the 14-year-old boy who recently drowned at a Whitecourt park.
-
Edmonton activates emergency weather response with hot weekend ahead
The city has activated its extreme weather response to keep vulnerable people safe during the hot weather forecasted over the weekend.
Vancouver
-
Vancouver zoo expected to give update; attraction closed for 3rd day following wolf release
The Greater Vancouver Zoo is expected to provide an update Thursday on the wolf release that forced the attraction's closure for multiple days.
-
'Botched' cosmetic procedures lead to woman's arrest in Kamloops: RCMP
Kamloops Mounties say complaints about "botched" cosmetic procedures completed in a private home led to a woman's arrest this week.
-
Summer camp lifeguard swam through 'debris and leaking fuel' to rescue boat-crash victim
A summer camp lifeguard is being recognized for his efforts in a dramatic rescue after a boater was flung from a vessel when it hit a dock at high speed.