Monday, February 10, 2003

CLOSE CALL
Montreal River, Ont.,

Sault Ste Marie OPP are looking for a tractor trailer that failed to report a collision near Montreal River yesterday.

At about 10:00 a.m., a jeep was following a tractor trailer southbound on Hwy 17. The truck slowed for a snow plow and because of the blowing snow the jeep did not see the truck slowing.

The driver of the jeep slid into the northbound lane and struck the left side of the trailer as the truck was still moving. The Jeep had considerable damage and the truck driver did stop some distance down the roadway.

The truck driver left the scene prior to police arrival. The identity of the driver and the truck is not known. If you have any information about the truck or the driver please call Sault Ste Marie OPP.


STOLEN SNOW MACHINE
Searchmont,Ont.,

Sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning, thieves stole a snow machine from the trails near Searchmont. The 1997 Ski Doo had broken down and was left near the trail. By the time the driver got back to the city and returned to pick it up, someone had taken the machine. The machine is valued at about $3500.00.

If you have any information on this snow machine theft, remember that Crime Stoppers is offering double the reward money this month on any tips that lead to the recovery of stolen snow machines.

WEATHER RELATED COLLISIONS
Goulais River, Ont.,

Sault Ste Marie OPP investigated six collisions over the weekend with all of them related to the weather conditions. Blowing and drifting snow over the weekend reduced visibility in the area.

One of the more problem collisions was on Sunday at about 2:00 a.m. A tractor trailer was southbound on Hwy 17 near the bottom of Mile Hill in Goulais River.

The truck left the roadway and went into the ditch. There was minimal damage to the rig but Hwy 17 was reduced to one lane for several hours during the middle of the night so that the truck could be removed.