Canal Road Fatality May Not Have Been An Accident
Posted April 2, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Police are currently investigating if the man who was killed after his car plunged into the waters off Canal Road near Bradford, Ont. was indeed an accident. There is speculation that it may have been suicide.
The roadway was closed for approximately five hours while police investigated the scene.
The cops found the vehicle was driven westbound into the Canal at an unknown speed. There were no signs that the driver had lost control, tried to brake or take any evasive driving actions. The roadway is straight and flat at this location. This area has no trees or guard rail giving open access into the canal.
There were other unusual circumstances reported by witnesses, police and fire fighters that initially responded to the scene that the victim made no effort to escape from the vehicle, although conscious and alert.
When the victim was finally extricated from his vehicle, he was found to be sparsely dressed, which was inappropriate for the weather conditions.
Police are currently following up on leads on this man’s identity. He is believed to be a 45-year- old male from the Toronto area.
The accident occurred not far from where 32-year-old Cassandra Read and her four-year-old son Tyler drowned after spinning off the road a little over a year ago.
After that incident, guard rails were erected, but many believe more has to be done to assure public safety.
The shortcut from Highway 400 has been the scene of at least 22 fatal accidents, and community members have long searched for ways to make it safer.
“I’m kind of shaken and upset,” admitted Cassandra Read’s good friend Crystal Pittman upon hearing the news Sunday. Pittman is part of a group that’s argued adamantly for enhanced barriers, decreased speed limits as well as the closure of Canal Road altogether.
The victim’s family has not yet been located.
The reason that he was traveling on Canal Road is still unknown.
The victim is scheduled for a post mortem examination today at York Central Hospital in Richmond Hill.
If you have any information about this vehicle or driver are asked to contact the South Simcoe Police Traffic and Marine Unit, Sgt. Bob Eeles at (705) 436-2141 ext. 2021 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Another Car Plunges Into Water Off Dangerous Stretch Of Canal Road, Killing Man
