A Sudbury man is dealing with unexpected repair costs after a frightening early-morning incident left his vehicle damaged, though he and his son were unharmed.
Mike Strickland said he was driving south on Highway 69 in Estaire on March 23, taking his son back to school in the U.S., when a large amount of snow fell from an overpass above. As they passed underneath, a snowplow was clearing the bridge, and a heavy load of snow suddenly dropped onto his vehicle, shattering the windshield and scattering glass across the dashboard.
The pair immediately stopped and returned home to report the incident. Strickland later learned the area falls under provincial responsibility, not the City of Greater Sudbury.
The damage resulted in a $1,000 repair bill, which was reduced to $400 with help from a local dealership. Still, Strickland has been unable to get a response from Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation about possible compensation and is unsure who is responsible.
He described the situation as frustrating, especially given the lack of communication and the financial strain. Although he has insurance, the deductible exceeds the repair cost. Strickland also questioned the lack of safeguards to prevent snow from falling off overpasses, noting the volume suggested it had built up since a recent major storm.