A 71-year-old Azilda resident is facing charges after a near-collision on Highway 69 north of Britt led a transport truck to crash into a ditch while attempting to avoid other vehicles.
The incident happened around 12:20 p.m. on May 19 near the S&N gas station. According to West Parry Sound OPP, a red pickup truck towing a boat trailer turned left onto the highway and entered the path of a southbound passenger vehicle.
Police say the car was forced to brake suddenly, causing a commercial truck travelling behind it to swerve off the road and into a ditch to prevent a potentially serious collision.
The manager of the nearby gas station, who provided video footage of the incident, said the intersection has been the site of multiple crashes and called it dangerous. She added that requests have been made to the Ministry of Transportation for turning lanes to improve safety in the area.
Authorities said the transport truck driver was not physically injured, although the crash caused major traffic delays while crews worked to remove the vehicle from the ditch.
Investigators later located the pickup truck driver, who had allegedly left the scene after the incident. The driver has since been charged with careless driving and failing to remain at the scene of a collision.
Police continue to remind motorists to use caution at busy highway intersections, particularly when towing trailers or making turns across traffic.