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OPP say no charges expected in fatal collision

June 24, 2025

1300

By Mike Anderson

While the fatal collision at High St. and Hwy. 48 in Sutton on June 13 is still under investigation; OPP says it doesn’t expect to lay charges against the driver of a dump truck that struck a BMW sedan, resulting in the death of its 31-year-old driver.

The accident occurred just before 9 a.m. when the BMW entered the intersection from High St. and was T-boned by the dump truck hauling gravel southbound on Hwy. 48. Eyewitnesses say the BMW was attempting to make a right turn on a red light.

The fatal collision, which shut down Hwy. 48 from Park Rd. to Ravenshoe Rd. for more than five hours, has reignited calls to make the intersection safer.

Some residents point out that gravel trucks approach the intersection along a tight curve, making it difficult for motorists to gauge their speed and distance before making a right turn at a red light.

Lee, a long-time Sutton resident, who was visiting the Georgina Veterinary Clinic on June 13, just north of the accident, says the speed limit, reduced from 80 km to 70 km before the intersection, needs to be reduced even further.

“There have been many accidents here over the years. It’s a terrible intersection because those tractor-trailers want to get past that light. And you got people trying to come out here from the light when it’s changing,” she said. “I think the speed limit should be 60 km.”

Councillor Dale Genge, whose ward includes that stretch of Hwy. 48, would also like to see safety measures introduced that would slow down trucks before they reach High St.

“There have been many accidents at the corner of Hwy. 48 and High St.; fortunately, most have been fender benders. But the fatal collision earlier this month proves that improvements are needed at the intersection,” Genge said in an email to the Post.

“Perhaps a set of traffic lights at Smockum Blvd., timed with the lights at High St., to stop the vehicles before they reach the corner. Perhaps reducing the speed limit and enforcing it is the answer. I don’t know what the answer is, but vehicles need to slow down through the corner.”

MTO says it will review the intersection following the conclusion of the OPP investigation.

“The safety of the people travelling on Ontario’s highways is our top priority and a responsibility the ministry takes very seriously,” an MTO spokesperson said in an email response.

“We continuously monitor our highway network – including this stretch of Hwy. 48 around High St. – to review collision analysis and to identify safety enhancements.”

Meanwhile, MTO says it will address safety issues at the intersection of Hwy. 48 and Old Homestead Rd., the scene of another fatal collision earlier this year.

“The immediate plan along the section of the highway at Old Homestead Rd. is to modify the centre-line pavement markings to double solid lines to indicate to motorists that it is unsafe to pass other vehicles. Future plans for the intersection include traffic signals, which have been added to the ministry’s highway improvement program,” MTO said.

“A review of the scope of the project is currently underway. Timing of the installation will follow.”