Victim identified in fatal motorcycle crash in Wellington County
Police have identified the victim who died following a crash involving a motorcycle and two other vehicles just outside Guelph on Friday.
The OPP, along with paramedics and firefighters, were called to Highway 7, just west of Wellington Road 32, at approximately 11:30 p.m.
Police say the driver of the motorcycle was transported to a local hospital, where they were pronounced deceased.
The driver has been identified as Vernon Russell Ward, 54, from Guelph.
On Friday officers said the precise cause of the crash is still unknown.
"There was no alcohol involved in the two passenger vehicles involved," explained Cst. Jacob Unger, with the Wellington County OPP on Friday.
“Some witness statements gathered did indicate that the driver of the motorcycle might have been possibly drinking, but none of that information has been confirmed yet,” he added.
"ALARMING" TREND
It was just two months ago when the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) called the number of fatalities involving motorcycles “alarming.”
Updated numbers provided to CTV News on Saturday evening show there have been 37 motorcycle fatalities on OPP-patrolled roads so far in 2022.
That compares to 31 for the entire year in 2021.
Investigators say they’re seeing some common factors in crashes involving motorcycles.
"So, there were three main contributing factors for motor cycle collisions and one was loss of control, failing to yield and excessive speeding,” stated Unger.
OPP said they will continue their work on preventing further fatalities, while they continue to work with different community and government partners.
"We continue to take a proactive approach as well, not just through education, but through patrols..trying to encourage proper driving behavior,” Unger said.
“Officers are always on the lookout for speeders and people driving dangerously."
He adds that, at the end of the day, police just want everyone to be able to return home safely.
In the case of Friday night’s crash, police continue their investigation and anyone who may have witnessed the collision is being asked to contact the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'I recognize these footsteps': How Trump and 'coyote' smuggling changed life at the border
Bent signs bolted to the rail threaten fines and imprisonment should violators cross the boundary into the United States, a warning many people are choosing to ignore simply by walking around the barrier.
Stanley cups recalled over 'burn hazard'
A recall notice is in effect for a selection of Stanley travel mugs, warning consumers to 'immediately stop using' them.
She took a DNA test for fun. Police used it to charge her grandmother with murder in a cold case
According to court documents, detectives reopened the cold case in 2017 and then worked with a forensics company to extract DNA from Baby Garnet's partial femur, before sending the results to Identifinders International.
Video shows moments before a plane crashes into a busy Texas intersection
Four people sustained non-life-threatening injuries after a small plane crashed into a busy intersection in Victoria, Texas, Wednesday.
Law firm warns $47.8B First Nations child welfare reforms could be lost with election
A legal review commissioned by the Assembly of First Nations is warning a $47.8-billion deal to reform the First Nations child welfare system could be moot if there's a change in government in the upcoming year.
Producers of Netflix hit 'Love is Blind' accused of U.S. labour law violations
The producers of Netflix's hit reality dating show 'Love is Blind' have been accused by a U.S. labour board of attempting to strip cast members of their rights to discuss working conditions and speak publicly about their experiences.
'Enough is enough': Doug Ford says Ontario could hand encampment drug users $10,000 fines, prison
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his government is introducing a suite of measures to help municipalities “address and dismantle” homeless encampments around the province, including steep fines for people who use drugs.
Weather warnings for hazardous conditions in parts of Canada
Canadians will experience contrasting weather on Thursday, from warmer temperatures in the Maritimes to extreme cold in parts of Ontario, the Prairies and the North.
Indian Gukesh Dommaraju, 18, becomes the youngest ever chess world champion
Teenager Gukesh Dommaraju became the youngest-ever undisputed classical chess world champion after beating Ding Liren 7.5-6.5 in their best-of-14 final in Singapore on Thursday.