During a one hour period on Friday September 18th, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. there were four separate motor vehicle collisions within the city which resulted in 5 individuals being transported to the hospital where they were treated for minor injuries. Heavy rainfall during this time was a contributing factor.
The first accident occurred around 12:00 p.m. at the intersection of 6th Street and 7th Avenue East. A 2013 Honda Civic stopped for traffic as it was west bound. A 2009 Honda Accord that had been following the Civic attempted to unsuccessfully stop, slid into the rear of the Civic. No one was injured as a result of this collision. As police were investigating this accident another accident occurred in the same location. As a driver diverted his attention away from the roadway to the earlier collision he failed to notice the vehicle ahead had stopped for the traffic signal. The driver of 2005 Chevrolet Silverado attempted to quickly stop but with the wet conditions slid sideways then into the rear of the 1999 Honda Civic that had come to a stop ahead. There were no injuries as a result of the accident. The driver of the pickup was charged under the Highway Traffic Act.
The third collision occurred at approximately 12:40 p.m. in the area of 10th Street and 5th Avenue East. A 2002 Hyundai was west bound on 10th Street East and collided into the rear of a 2014 Hyundai which had come to a stop for traffic. The damage was minor but the impact caused minor injuries to the occupants of the 2014 Hyundai. These occupants were transported to hospital where they were treated and later released. After this accident had occurred another collision in the same area happened. A 1996 Jeep Cherokee was west bound 10th Street East and quickly went to stopped behind the line of traffic that had built up from the other accident and slid into the rear of a 2009 Ford F250 pickup. The driver of the Cherokee and his 3 year old child along with the driver of the pickup were taken to hospital by EMS at which time they were treated for minor injuries. Emergency crews had closed off the west bound lanes of 10th Street East from 7th Avenue to 5th Avenue for approximately one hour.
The Owen Sound Police wish to remind motorist that at times of heavy rain fall your ability to brake and stop your motor vehicle as in dry conditions is greatly diminished. Motorists to safely travel on the roadway in adverse conditions may be required to travel under the posted speed limit and to leave great room between yourself and the vehicle ahead. All motor vehicle collisions are preventable; let’s start by driving according to our road and weather conditions.