The Ontario Provincial Police are reporting that two people, a 48-year-old man and woman, have died as a consequence of a head-on crash on Highway 17. The incident took place in Markstay-Warren on June 7 at approximately 5 p.m., about 50 kilometres east of Sudbury.
Police say that at least three vehicles were involved in the fatal motor vehicle accident. Preliminary investigation indicates that the crash was precipitated by an eastbound car unexpectedly swerving across the centre of Highway 17 and striking an SUV on the side. Although the occupants of the SUV avoided injury, the car proceeded forward and struck a motorcycle behind them head-on. Both of the deceased victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
The cause of the accident is reportedly still under investigation; the driver of the eastbound car was a 58-year-old man from North Bay. He is said to have suffered relatively minor injuries in the crash. The incident took place between the Veuve River Bridge and Sutcliffe Road.
After a fatal accident of this nature, part of the investigation will seek to determine how the event transpired and which party, if any, ought to be held liable. The fact that one of the vehicles crossed the highway centre and entered opposing traffic could implicate that driver’s culpability, particularly if authorities ascertain that some form of negligence on his part was to blame.
Fatal accident victims sometimes leave behind surviving family members who relied upon them for their own financial support; the sudden loss of income has the potential to inflict long-term hardship on those left behind. In order to help alleviate some of their financial burdens in the accident’s aftermath, they may be entitled to demand compensation from the negligent party.
Source: CBC News , “2 Val Caron residents killed in head-on Highway 17 crash“, June 08, 2014
