(8:15 p.m. update) Double fatality closes Hwy 17

OPP NEWS RELEASES

************************* 8:15 p.m. update

OPP advise that Hwy 17 reopened to traffic at 8:15 p.m., April 16, 2008.

Traffic is expected to be moving slowly for some time.

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Original release - 4:27 p.m.

ESPANOLA, ON - At 1:38 p.m. April 16, 2008, members of the Espanola OPP Detachment responded to a motor vehicle collision on Hwy 17 just west of Hwy 6.

Preliminary investigation reveals that for unknown reasons, a passenger vehicle which was traveling eastbound on Hwy 17, crossed the centre line and struck a westbound five-ton delivery truck.

At this time investigators have confirmed, two occupants in the eastbound vehicle died at the scene.

The driver of the delivery truck was airlifted to St. Joseph’s Health Centre with undetermined injuries.

No names are being released at this time pending notification of next of kin.

Officers have requested the assistance of two OPP technical traffic collision investigators and the investigation is continuing.

The highway is anticipated to be closed in both directions until sometime this evening as officers continue their investigation.

A detour of the scene has been set up for east and west bound passenger vehicles via Lee Valley Road.

There will be no commercial motor vehicles allowed to access this detour.

The investigation is continuing.

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