OPP lay charge in fatal northwestern Ont. snowmobile incident

Ontario Provincial Police snowmobiles are shown in this undated police image. (File photo/Supplied/Ontario Provincial Police)

A 36-year-old from Nipigon, Ont., has been charged with criminal negligence causing death following a fatal snowmobile incident in the community last month.

Ontario Provincial Police and emergency medical services responded to a report of a fatal snowmobile incident along Highway 11-17 near Settler’s Road at about 7 a.m. on March 17.

“A youth from Lake Helen First Nation, who was operating the snowmobile, was pronounced deceased,” said OPP in a news release.

Investigation ongoing

The investigation is being conducted by the OPP North West Region Crime Unit, under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Coroner and with assistance from various specialized OPP teams.

Anyone with information that may assist this investigation is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.

OPP publicly announced the criminal negligence causing death charge on April 17 and the accused is scheduled to appear in court in Thunder Bay at a later date.