(RENFREW, ON) – The Renfrew Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a head on collision on Friday August 30 just before 9pm in Arnprior. The Officer’s investigation revealed that a silver 2011 Chrysler 200 was travelling east on Madawaska Blvd when it entered the westbound lane and struck a gray 2008 Ford Ranger pick-up truck. The male driver of the Chrysler suffered serious injuries, as did the driver of the pick-up truck. The passenger in the Ford suffered critical life threatening injuries. All three were transported by paramedics to the Arnprior and District Memorial Hospital, and the passenger was transferred by air ambulance to the Ottawa Hospital. The driver of the Ford has been identified as 52-year-old Gerald VANSTARKENBURG of Laurentian Valley Township. His passenger was 51-year-old Evelyn VANSTARKENBURG. She remains in the Ottawa Hospital in critical condition.
The driver of the Chrysler has been identified as 64-year-old Elwood SCOBIE of Whitewater Region Township. He was charged with impaired driving causing bodily harm, and dangerous driving causing bodily harm. He was released from police custody on a promise to appear in court in Renfrew on September 25.
Provincial Constable Ken Rusaw is leading the investigation, with assistance from the OPP Technical Traffic Collision Investigation Unit.