Tragic Highway Accidents Claim Lives in Northern Ontario

There have now been five deadly highway accidents in northern Ontario over the last 10 days.

The most recent incident, involving two cars, occurred Thursday night around 9 p. m. on Highway 11-17 between Highway 130 and Highway 588, according to a news release from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Thunder Bay issued Friday morning.

A 23-year-old woman from Poplar Hill and a 28-year-old woman from Eabametoong First Nation lost their lives, while two others were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

The other fatal incidents include:

A single-vehicle crash on Monday on the Highway 17 bypass in Sudbury sent two people to the hospital. A 74-year-old woman from Sault Ste. Marie was later declared dead, as per Nipissing West OPP reports. A crash on Saturday in northeast Ontario on Highway 11 near Highway 631, west of Hearst, involved a commercial vehicle and a passenger car, resulting in three fatalities. The deceased have been identified as Darrell (Jackboy) Taylor, age 57; his sister Raeanne Wesley, age 36 – both part of Constance Lake First Nation; and Raeanne’s partner Aaron Paypompee, age 37, from Whitefish Bay First Nation. A collision on January 29 involving a car and a transport truck occurred on Highway 11-17 near Sistonens Corners and led to the death of a young woman from Kakabeka Falls. She was identified as Cheyenne Vaillant by Thunder City Speedway, recognized for her involvement in the local racing community. A report on January 27 described an accident between a pick-up truck and a transport truck on Highway 17 between Shabaqua Corners and Upsala. Community members identified the victim as Peggy Suganaqueb, aged 58, of Webequie First Nation. She was hospitalized but died Wednesday.Three people were killed in a collision on Highway 11 in northern Ontario January 31. From left: Aaron Paypompee is seen with his partner Raeanne Wesley along with Darrell (Jackboy) Taylor who is also seen with Wesley since they are siblings. (Submitted by Darius Ferris)

Since last Tuesday there have been seven highway collisions reported in the northwest region; at least half involved transport trucks.

This alarming series of events has sparked calls from several local leaders for improvements to highway safety measures along the Highway 11-17 route.

Kenora-Kiiwetinoong Conservative MP Eric Melillo sent an email statement to Friday afternoon.

Kenora-Kiiwetinoong Conservative MP Eric Melillo expresses that he wants federal support for twinning Trans-Canada Highway. ()

“The twinning of the Trans-Canada highway in our area is essential. It’s crucial for safety reasons, our regional economy’s growth, and Canada’s economic independence. That’s why I have initiated a local petition urging immediate federal support for this project,” Melillo wrote.

A spokesperson for Ontario’s ministry of transportation stated via email that “our government continues to take critical steps to improve road safety across our province.”

These efforts include “nearly $600 million allocated for building and repairing northern highways as well as roads and bridges with over $350 million specifically designated for enhancing safety along Highways 11, 17 and particularly within the corridor,” senior media relations adviser Julia Caslin wrote Thursday.

The Effect on First Responders and Community Members

Constable Joel Eppinghaus from Thunder Bay OPP noted that these tragic deaths weigh heavily on first responders.

“It’s heavy,” Eppinghaus said. “Some officers who respond to these fatalities know some victims or their families personally; recognizing names can be really tough.”

If such incidents happen, involved officers are encouraged to reach out to their police service’s internal support team for help.

Eppinghaus mentioned that OPP’s speed radars indicate drivers typically slow down after hearing about fatal collisions but said it’s unfortunate that it takes such tragedies for people to adjust their driving behavior.

He’s observed how individuals often look for someone or something to blame after these accidents occur “assuming or guessing it’s certain vehicles or drivers responsible.”

“It’s important we all remember we share responsibility for keeping our communities safe,” Eppinghaus stated.

He urges everyone to follow traffic laws strictly drive safely under varying conditions never drive while impaired.

No matter if it happens in Greenstone Thunder Bay Red Lake or Kenora throughout this northwest region it impacts all of us.”

“Sadly it brings [the] community together though certainly not how we would hope.”

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