Video captures transport driving into ditch to avoid Hwy. 69 collision

A 71-year-old from Azilda in Greater Sudbury has been charged after a red pickup truck almost collided with a passenger vehicle just north of Britt.

The car had to slow down to avoid hitting the truck, causing a commercial motor vehicle behind the car to swerve into a ditch to avoid a serious crash.

Security camera footage obtained by CTV News captured the entire incident, which took place in front of the S&N gas station on Highway 69 at 12:20 p.m. on May 19.

“This intersection is very dangerous and we have had several accidents here,” said Lynne Barron, manager of the gas station who provided the video.

“The Ministry of Transportation is aware of it and we have asked to have turning lanes put in.”

Barron said the transport driver was able to walk away from the crash with no physical injuries and said the pickup driver left the scene.

In a news release, West Parry Sound Ontario Provincial Police said they were dispatched to the collision in which “a red pickup truck towing a boat trailer turned left from the gas station to go north on Highway 69.”

“The truck pulled out in front of a southbound passenger vehicle, which had a southbound commercial motor vehicle behind it,” the OPP said.

No injuries

“The passenger vehicle had to slow abruptly to the truck turning in front of it, causing the commercial motor vehicle to veer off the road and into the ditch to avoid a collision.”

Police were able to locate the driver of the pickup, who was charged with careless driving and failing to remain at the scene of a collision.

“There were no injuries and there was significant traffic disruption to facilitate the removal of the commercial motor vehicle,” police said.

Barron said she has seen at least 10 crashes at the intersection in recent years, including one in which a victim had to be extricated via air ambulance after they were rear-ended turning in to the gas station.

“Most (crashes) are minor with no serious injuries,” she said.

“But it’s just a matter of time before we have a fatality, unfortunately.”