Truck driver charged in Highway 11 crash with tow

A 27-year-old transport truck driver crashed into a tow truck on Highway 11 on Sunday.

A transport truck driver was charged after allegedly crashing into a tow truck on Highway 11 early Sunday morning.

The crash

In a 6:01 a.m. social media post, the OPP reported about the crash between the two vehicles in the northbound direction of the highway just south of Gravenhurst.

The OPP public information advisor (PIA) later confirmed to CTV News that the transport truck had crashed into the tow truck at around 4:30 a.m. near North Kahshe Lake Road.

In a Sunday evening news release, Bracebridge OPP revealed that officers and the tow truck operator were in the midst of responding to another single-car crash when the incident happened.

No injuries were reported.

The aftermath

The 27-year-old transport truck driver from Windsor was charged with careless driving and failing to move into another lane for an emergency vehicle or tow truck.

“This incident serves as an important reminder of the risks faced by tow truck operators, emergency responders, and roadside assistance workers who routinely perform their duties in active traffic,” said the OPP PIA in the news release.

Highway 11 northbound was closed between North Kahshe Lake Road (eventually South Kahshe Lake Road) and Luigi Road as crews had to clean up a fluid leak and remove the vehicles.

Then, in an 8:37 a.m. update, the OPP confirmed that the highway had fully reopened.

The incident remains under investigation.

Safety messaging

The OPP urges motorists to abide by the following safety practices when approaching stopped vehicles with flashing lights:

• Slowing down and moving over when approaching emergency vehicles, tow trucks or construction workers.
• Increasing the distance from workers, vehicles or equipment working near live lanes of traffic.
• Remaining alert for changing road conditions.
• Allowing for extra time to react when approaching stopped vehicles.