Swerving pickup truck on Hwy. 17 narrowly avoids head-on crash

An Ontario Provincial Police image is seen in this photo provided by police. (File)

One person has been charged with drugged driving and fentanyl possession following a near miss on Highway 17 on Tuesday afternoon.

Police received a complaint around 1 p.m. about a speeding pickup truck swerving all over the highway near Pronto Road within the Township of the North Shore.

Ontario Provincial Police were told one driver narrowly avoided a head-on collision with the pickup.

Police stopped the truck about 10 minutes later near Woodlawn Drive in Blind River.

"While speaking to the driver, police determined that the driver had consumed an intoxicating substance and a subsequent arrest was made," the OPP said in a news release Wednesday.

"Also in the driver's possession was approximately seven grams of suspected fentanyl and drug paraphernalia located in a vest pocket."

The driver was taken to the OPP's Blind River detachment, where they were assessed by a drug recognition expert from the Mississauga First Nation Police Service.

A 58-year-old from Serpent River First Nation has now been charged with drugged driving and drug possession.

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on Nov. 7. In addition, the pickup was impounded for a week and the suspect's driver's licence was suspended for 90 days.

"If you suspect an impaired driver, call 911," police said.

"Don't hesitate, Make the call."