More about the Highway 69 crash

The following is a news release issued this afternoon by the Ontario Provincial Police about a traffic blockage last night and today on Highway 69 south of Sudbury.

It's followed by an announcement from Ontario's Special Invesigations Unit about the head-on collision that caused the blockage.

A sports utility vehicle involved in the crash was being followed by police at the time for speeding.

*************************** Highway 69 open intermittently

(Sudbury, Ontario) - Traffic in both directions is now being escorted by OPP until the flow of traffic is deemed safe. Traffic will be slow and intermittent in both directions for a few hours, OPP at the scene speculate.

If motorists have the option to travel Highway 11, through North Bay, it is still being encouraged.

*************************** SIU Investigates Fatal Collision in Town of French River

TORONTO (May 6, 2004) - Eight investigators from the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) are investigating the circumstances of a fatal collision that occurred on Highway 69 at approximately 8:50 p.m., on May 5, 2004.

The SIU was notified that an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer from the Sudbury detachment had observed an SUV traveling southbound on Highway 69 at a high rate of speed.

The officer began to follow the SUV when the SUV crossed over into the northbound lane and collided head-on with a transport truck.

The collision occurred approximately three kilometres south of Highway 64, near the French River.

The male driver of the SUV was the lone occupant in the car and suffered fatal injuries.

The SIU is appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident to contact the Unit at 416-622-1886 or 1-800-787-8529.

The SIU is a civilian agency that investigates circumstances involving police and civilians which have resulted in serious injury, sexual assault or death.

Under Part VII, Section 113, of the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU has the sole authority to decide whether or not charges are warranted based on the findings of a complete investigation.

The Director's decision is reported to the Attorney General.

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