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UPDATE: FATALITY, Name released Highway 69 closed

Motorists are advised that they can use an alternate route. Northbound traffic should use Highway 522 to Highway 11 then northbound to North Bay and southbound traffic should use Highway 64 to Highway 17 then East to North Bay

Updated Sunday 

On Friday, September 1, at 3:03 p.m., members of the Sudbury and Noelville detachments of the OPP, the French River Fire Department and the Sudbury District Emergency Medical Services, responded to a motor vehicle collision on the French River Bridge on Highway 69 in the Municipality of the French River.

Investigation revealed that a passenger car was northbound on the French River bridge (Highway 69) when it crossed the centre line and side-swiped a southbound pick-up truck. The car continued northbound further crossing into the southbound lane and collided head-on with a tractor-trailer.

The female driver and lone occupant of the passenger car, Jillian Rose Keast, 25, from Sudbury, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The female driver of the pick-up truck, who is from Val Caron and her male passenger, from Azilda, was not injured in the collision and neither was the male driver of the tractor-trailer who is from Welland.

The highway was closed in both directions for a period of eight hours while officers, with the assistance of an OPP Collision Reconstructionist and an OPP Technical Collision Investigator, completed their investigation.

No charges will be laid.

Updated at 6 p.m.

This afternoon at 3:03 p.m., members of the Sudbury and Noelville detachments of the OPP, the French River Fire Department and the Sudbury District Emergency Medical Services (EMS), responded to a motor vehicle collision on the French River Bridge on Highway 69.

Technical Collision Investigators (TCI) are on scene investigating and the Highway remains closed at this time. It has been confirmed that one person is deceased.

Motorists are advised that they can use an alternate route. Northbound traffic should use Highway 522 to Highway 11 then northbound to North Bay and southbound traffic should use Highway 64 to Highway 17 then East to North Bay.

It is unknown at this time how long the Highway will remain closed for the investigation. Please do not call 911 for an update. Ontario 511 is available to the public via phone line or on the internet.

Original story:

OPP report that an accident around 4:45 closed Highway 69 in both directions.

A collision occurred at the French River bridge.

There is no detour.

BayToday will update as the OPP provides details. 


Jeff Turl

About the Author: Jeff Turl

Jeff is a veteran of the news biz. He's spent a lengthy career in TV, radio, print and online, covering both news and sports. He enjoys free time riding motorcycles and spoiling grandchildren.
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