Garden River highway closure caused by sleeping driver

A careless driving charge has been laid in connection with a Friday-night accident that closed Highway 17 for one hour.

Shane Laderoute-Chiblow, 18, of Garden River has been charged with both careless driving and failing to wear a seat belt. There were no injuries in the accident, OPP report.

"The investigation and witness statements have revealed that the driver of the truck fell asleep at the wheel of the truck," Ontario Provincial Police said.

The accident happened around 6 p.m. Friday when an eastbound pick-up truck crossed the centerline into the westbound lanes of Highway 17.

It then went into the ditch, where the truck hit a utility pole and snapped it in half.

"A westbound motorist saw the truck coming at her and had to pull onto the shoulder and then into a driveway to avoid hitting the truck head on," OPP said in a news release.

The accident brought wires down onto the highway.

It was blocked in both directions until they could be removed.

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