A sudden death investigation is underway in Kingsville after a 43-year-old man was found dead along a stretch of road where an ATV was seen off the roadway and numerous hydro poles were down following a night of severe weather. Ontario Provincial Police, Essex-Windsor EMS and Kingsville Fire Department were called to Road 11 in Kingsville at approximately 11:58 p.m. Wednesday. OPP said a 43-year-old man was located and pronounced dead at the scene. The circumstances surrounding the death remain unclear. CTV News observed an ATV off the side of the road and what appeared to be extensive damage to hydro infrastructure, with numerous poles down along the roadway. It has not been confirmed what caused the poles to come down or whether the damage is connected to the death. OPP said the investigation remains in its early stages and declined to answer questions about whether the ATV, the downed hydro poles and the sudden death are connected. “More details will be released when available,” police said. Nearby resident Laura Leneau said she was awakened overnight after losing power as severe weather moved through the area. She described the conditions as unlike anything she had experienced during her 10 years living in the area. “Nothing was touched. It must have come right down the road. Seriously. It was really strange because it wasn’t a continuous wind,” Leneau said. “This came and it stopped dead silent, and it came back again. It was freaky. I’ve never in my life seen anything like this or even heard anything like this.” Leneau said the power went out around midnight and emergency lights later illuminated her home. When she went outside Thursday morning, she noticed the damage to several hydro poles. “I said, ‘John, my God, look at this one,’” she said, describing poles she observed cracked and downed near her home. Leneau also described seeing frequent lightning during the storm. “It was like a lightning show. Just dancing,” she said. She said she did not know what caused the apparent crash near the scene. “All I know is it was a horrific accident,” she said. Hydro One has been contacted by CTV News for information about the damaged infrastructure and what may have caused the poles to come down. OPP said there is no threat to public safety and residents can expect an increased police presence in the area. The investigation is ongoing.
