Sunday, January 25, 2004

The Sault detachment of the O.P.P. reports a very quiet twenty-four hour period with nothing to report.

The Sudbury region, however, had a couple of serious accidents including a fatality.

A collision on Hwy 17 (the southwest bypass) west of Long Lake Road claimed the life of one man at approximately 3:45 p.m. A car crossed the center line into the path of a transport. The lone driver of the vehicle was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. His name has not yet been released.

Also yesterday, a pick-up truck collided with a van being driven by North Bay championship curler Scott Patterson.

Members of the Sudbury O.P.P. detachment are continuing their investigation into the three-vehicle collision that occurred at approximately 6:30 p.m., on Highway 17, Wahnapitae, just East of Highway 537.

Police said an eastbound pick up truck lost control on black ice, crossed the centre line and struck a westbound mini van at which time another westbound vehicle
rear-ended the mini van.

The driver of the pick up truck, Daniel Louis Gagnon, 29, of North Bay, and his daughter, Josee, 8, were not injured, however, four people in the van sustained serious injuries.

Patterson, 34, along with three occupants, Gerry Cantin, Greg Cantin, and John McClelland, all of North Bay, were injured and taken to St. Joseph's Health Centre by ambulance. Patterson remains in critical condition in hospital.

His passengers sustained non-life threatening injuries and also remain in hospital. The driver of the third vehicle, Lise St. Denis, age 34, of Wahnapitae, along with her five children were not injured.

Patterson and his teammates, representing CFB North Bay curling team, were on their way to the Northern Ontario Curling Association men's tankard at the Sudbury Curling Club when the collision occurred.