UPDATE: SVC Claims Two Lives – Driver and Passenger Identified

(SOUTHWEST MIDDLESEX, ON) On August 11, 2013 at approximately 3:25 a.m. Middlesex County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), fire crews and paramedics responded to a single motor vehicle collision that claimed the lives of a male and female on Concession Drive in the Municipality of Southwest Middlesex.

A white KIA sport utility vehicle was travelling eastbound at a high rate of speed on Concession Drive when it ran through a stop sign, skidded, left the north side of the roadway and eventually struck two trees. The driver and passenger were not wearing seatbelts and were ejected from the vehicle. Both parties were transported by ambulance to Four Counties Hospital where they ultimately died of their injuries. A dog in the vehicle was also ejected and died of its injuries at the scene. Police have identified the driver as Johnathan SMITH, age 31 of Hamilton, ON. The passenger has been identified as Patricia GRIFFIN, age 30 of Hamilton, ON.

The OPP Technical Traffic Investigation (TTCI) Team attended and Concession Drive was closed for several hours to complete the investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Middlesex County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.

Police want to urge everyone to remember that driving is a big responsibility and what you do behind the wheel can change your life forever. Ask yourself:

Is everyone buckled?

Am I in the right state of mind?

Have I removed all distractions from within my reach?

Can I get to where I am going and have plenty of time to get there?

Am I sober?

If you are not one hundred percent certain the answer to each and every one of those questions is ‘YES’ than it is not your time to drive. If you get behind the wheel with any uncertainty, you are gambling not only with your life, but with the life of everyone around you. Drive safe. Drive smart.

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