Monday, July 28, 2003

TWO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AN HOUR APART
Blind River, Ontario

Yesterday at 12:08 p.m., an accident occurred on Highway 17 near Blind River. A westbound motorcycle was attempting to pass several other westbound vehicles when it collided with a westbound pick-up that was turning into a picnic area.

The 55-year-old motorcycle driver received serious head injuries and was airlifted to a Sudbury hospital for treatment. His 56-year-old wife who was a passenger was taken by ambulance to a Sudbury hospital where she is being treated for a fractured femur. The motorcyclists are from Manchester, New Hampshire.

The driver and passenger in the pick-up were not injured. The O.P.P. is investigating.


A second serious accident occurred in the town of Blind River at 1:12 p.m. yesterday when a westbound vehicle being driven by a male from Sault Ste. Marie had crossed the highway into the eastbound lane striking an eastbound vehicle.

The westbound vehicle left the highway, rolling several times and ending up on its roof.

The driver, James Mills, age 43, and his passenger, received minor injuries and were taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Blind River where they were treated and released.

The driver and passenger in the second vehicle were not injured. The O.P.P. has charged Mills with careless driving.



SAULT MAN CHARGED WITH DOUBLE DOCTORING AND FRAUD
Sault Ste. Marie Ontario

The Ontario Provincial Police, Drug Enforcement Section and Anti-Rackets Section, Health Fraud Team, charged a Sault Ste. Marie man with 12 counts of double doctoring and 1 count of Fraud following an investigation into information that prescription narcotic drugs had been falsely obtained.

The charges were laid after 2 doctors and two pharmacies were visited in the Sault Ste. Marie area between December 2001 and February 2002 and December 2002 and 660 pills of prescription narcotic drugs were obtained by fraud and billed to the Ontario Drug Benefits Plan.

James Pidgen, 46, of Sault Ste. Marie, has been charged with 12 counts of Double Doctoring contrary to the Controlled Drug and Substances Act, and one count of Fraud Under $5, 000, contrary to the Criminal Code. He will make his first appearance in Sault Ste. Marie Provincial Court on Aug. 25, 2003.

The OPP Health Fraud is a team of OPP investigators dedicated to investigate on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care allegations of fraud relating to the Ontario Health System.