Fatal crash closes Highway 11

OPP NEWS RELEASES

***************************** Fatal motor vehicle collision under investigation

KIRKLAND LAKE - Members of the Kirkland Lake OPP along with the assistance of a Northeast OPP Region technical traffic collision investigator and a forensic identification unit investigator are investigating a fatal motor vehicle collision.

The collision occurred on Highway 11 approximately 200 meters north of the Rosegrove Road in Otto Township.

The incident was reported to police at approximately 11:25 a.m. on the 7th of October, 2009.

A green Ford pick-up truck was travelling northbound on Highway 11 when it crossed over into the southbound lane and came into collision with a southbound tractor trailer and a red Ford pick-up truck.

The driver of the green pick-up was pronounced dead at the scene by the coroner.

The other three involved persons were transported to Kirkland & District Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

As a result of the collision, Highway 11 is closed until further notice.

The traffic on Highway 11 is being re-routed via Highway 66 and 112.

Kirkland Lake OPP were assisted at the scene by the Kenogami Fire Department, the Kirkland Lake Fire Department and the Kirkland Lake Ambulance Service.

The investigation into the cause of the collision continues.

The victim has been positively identified as Marcel Bedard age 55 of Cornwall, Ontario.

A post mortem examination is scheduled to take place in North Bay on the 8th of October, 2009.

***************************** Saving lives during Operation Impact

Thanksgiving weekend travel - A family safety focus

October 9-12, 2009 will mark Operation Impact, a national campaign to make Canada's roads the safest in the world.

This special weekend is a police initiative designed to remind people that an essential part of the enforcement job is to save lives and reduce injuries on our roadways.

Educating the public in safe driving practices is a priority.

The focus will be on behaviour that puts drivers, passengers and other road users most at risk: impaired driving, seat belt use, and all aspects related to aggressive driving.

Operation Impact is sponsored by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) and Transport Canada and is part of Road Safety Vision 2010, which has a goal of making Canada's roads the safest in the world by 2010 - ‘Dedicated to improving public safety on our roadways.’

This initiative has been purposely associated with the Thanksgiving long weekend traffic safety focus.

With more people traveling, many of them in family groups, serious traffic collisions have often taken a heartbreaking toll.

This year, on OPP patrolled roadways in the North East Region, 27 people were killed in traffic collisions and another 877 were injured.

“These are not just simple numbers,” explains Inspector Garry MacPherson, commander, Highway Safety Division - North East Region. “These statistics represent death and injury to moms, dads, sisters, brothers, loved ones, co-workers and neighbours.”

With the autumn colours beckoning, Thanksgivings is often filled with outdoor activity and an all terrain vehicle is the perfect machine to take you away from it all - but when it’s ridden with safety in mind.

In 2009, the OPP investigated 20 ATV related deaths, four of those deaths occurred in the North East Region and involved alcohol and speed.

“All too often, this powerful vehicle is looked upon as a toy - inexperienced or unskilled operators have been seriously injured or worse yet, killed,” states Chief Superintendent Scott Tod, region commander - North East Region. “ATV safety sits squarely on the shoulders of the operator. Riders must make a conscious decision to drive responsibly and under control.”

Always wear an approved helmet and the appropriate safety gear.

Ride within your skill level - a loss of control doesn’t give you much in the way of a second chance on a tree-lined trail.

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