As the details continue to emerge about Wednesday’s devastating collision on Highway 15 south of Ottawa, provincial police have now laid charges against one of the drivers involved in the multi-vehicle crash that sent several people to hospital with serious injuries.
The Ontario Provincial Police confirmed yesterday that a 37-year-old driver from Gatineau has been charged with careless driving causing bodily harm after their southbound vehicle crossed the centerline near Bellamy Road, colliding head-on with northbound traffic around 4:30 p.m.
“This stretch of Highway 15 has seen several serious collisions over the past few years,” said Constable Sarah Williams of the Leeds County OPP detachment. “Weather conditions were clear at the time, and we’re still investigating what factors may have contributed to the driver crossing into oncoming traffic.”
According to police reports, three vehicles were directly involved in the collision – the southbound crossover vehicle and two northbound vehicles that were unable to avoid the impact. The crash occurred approximately 15 kilometers south of Smiths Falls in an area local residents have long identified as problematic.
Two drivers remain in serious but stable condition at The Ottawa Hospital’s Civic Campus trauma center. A third driver and passenger were treated for minor injuries at the Smiths Falls site of the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital and have since been released.
The collision shut down Highway 15 between County Road 8 and Bellamy Road for nearly seven hours while OPP Technical Traffic Collision Investigators worked the scene, reopening just before midnight. The extended closure caused significant traffic disruptions, with vehicles being rerouted through rural concession roads in the area.
I’ve driven this stretch countless times on my way to Kingston, and the relatively straight highway section can sometimes lull drivers into a false sense of security. Long commutes, distraction, or simple momentary inattention can have devastating consequences.
Township of Rideau Lakes Mayor Arie Hoogenboom expressed concerns about the recurring safety issues along Highway 15, particularly in light of increased traffic volume in recent years.
“We’ve been advocating for additional safety measures along several key provincial highways that run through our township,” Hoogenboom noted during a phone interview. “While the Ministry of Transportation has implemented some improvements, we believe more comprehensive measures are needed.”
The Ministry of Transportation’s most recent traffic studies indicate approximately 8,500 vehicles travel this section of Highway 15 daily, with seasonal increases during summer months when cottage traffic peaks.
Local resident Jennifer McPherson, who lives near the collision site, described hearing the impact from her home. “It was this terrible sound – metal and brakes. Then sirens for what seemed like hours,” McPherson said. “We’ve been asking for reduced speed limits through this section for years.”
Wednesday’s collision adds to a troubling pattern of serious crashes on regional highways surrounding Ottawa. Ministry data shows a 12% increase in serious collisions on provincial highways in Eastern Ontario over the past three years.
The OPP reminds drivers that careless driving causing bodily harm carries significant penalties under the Highway Traffic Act, including fines ranging from $2,000 to $50,000, possible imprisonment up to two years, and license suspension.
“These charges reflect the serious consequences of momentary driving decisions,” explained Ottawa-based traffic attorney Michael Brennan, who is not connected to this specific case. “Cases involving serious injury typically face heightened scrutiny both in terms of investigation and potential penalties.”
For those regularly traveling Highway 15 between Ottawa and Kingston, the OPP recommends allowing extra travel time, taking regular breaks during longer journeys, and remaining vigilant about maintaining lane position, particularly in areas without divided highway infrastructure.
The charged driver is scheduled to appear at the Brockville courthouse next month. Under Canadian legal protocols, the identity of charged individuals in provincial offenses is typically not released until formal court proceedings begin.
As regional traffic increases with summer approaching, this incident serves as a sobering reminder of the responsibility that comes with operating a vehicle on busy provincial highways.
