Crash on Highway 17 in Petawawa claims one life

A burnt transport truck rests in a ditch off highway 17 after a fatal crash

One person is dead after an early morning crash on highway 17 in Petawawa.

Ontario Provincial Police said the fatal crash happened shortly before 5:00 a.m. near Black Bay Road on Highway 17.

“It was a significant impact,” said Cst. Shawn Peever.

“We will be speaking with any witnesses and then looking at environmental factors, road conditions and any physical evidence that the technical collision investigators can gather from the scene,” Peever said about the on-going investigation.

A 19-year-old, who has not been identified, was killed when his car was involved in a crash with a transport truck carrying electrical equipment. The 53-year-old driver of the transport truck and his 53-year-old passenger were both transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Workers on scene said the two men were lucky to have escaped the crash with what they called only minor bumps and bruises.

Hours after the crash, with the smell of diesel fuel and burning plastic still in the air, crews on scene swept debris off the highway. The collision was so forceful the tractor trailer burst into flames, melting a section of its frame and incinerating the cab. Parts of the car, including a section of its dashboard and bumper were scattered across the highway.

This is the second fatal crash in the OPP Upper Valley Detachment in 2016. Highway 17 is a main route for truck drivers getting from Ontario to Manitoba and the United States.  They said the road can be dangerous given the many tight, blind turns and intersections that they said pop up with little warning.

“It’s very hard because many people drive rapidly,” said one truck driver adding that vehicles often drive 120 km/hr or more on the road. The speed limit is 90 km/hr.

OPP have not said whether alcohol or speed were factors. The investigation is on-going.

Highway 17 is not expected to re-open until Saturday night.