Moose FM CKNR 94.1 - Elliot Lake

There were two motor vehicle accidents on Hwy 17 west of Blind River yesterday (August 24^th, 2010).  One fatal accident happened around noon when a Ford Explorer collided with the side of a tanker truck travelling in the same direction and then came to a stop on the side of the road.  77 year old Carmine Minutillo of Brantford was driving the Ford Explorer and died of his injuires while being transported to the hospital.  There was a passenger who suffered only minor injuries and the driver of the tanker truck was able to stop his vehicle without injury or losing his load of fuel.

The other accident was more like a hit and run; it happened just half an hour later around 12:45pm when a Toyota Echo was faced with a white tractor trailer crossing the center line and heading straight for the car.  The driver of the Toyota managed to swerve out of the way but it meant hitting the soft shoulder, losing control and going down a 15 foot embankment.  She was there for almost an hour before she was able to call for help on her cell phone. She has only minor injuries.  The tractor trailer that crossed the center line did not stop and the police have no description other than it having a white cab.

East Algoma OPP are currently investigating a break and enter and theft at the Civic Centre in Elliot Lake.  Unknown persons entered an office on the 3^rd floor and removed cash.  Nothing else appeared to be taken.  Another investigation is underway for several thefts at a trailer park north of Elliot Lake.  Fifteen people were affected by the thefts of items such as fishing supplies, school supplies, purses, wallets, computers and cameras – from boats and unlocked vehicles.

Anyone with information regarding the break and enter or the thefts, is asked to call crime stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

The OPP also laid a few charges last week in Elliot Lake.  A 41 year old male of the Elliot Lake was charged with shoplifting and another Elliot Lake man aged 44 was charged with the production of marijuana at a residence on Ottawa Avenue.

The politicians are coming.  Bob Rae, Carol Hughes and Andrea Horwath are in the Algoma Manitoulin district today (Tuesday, August 24th, 2010 ).  Bob Rae and Francois Cloutier are the special guests at a Liberal fund-raising dinner in Elliot Lake today, starting with a public meet and greet at the Hampton Inn from five to six pm.  Former mayor George Farkough gives much of the credit to Bob Rae for the rebirth of Elliot Lake in the 1990s.  And in Espanola, Carol Hughes and Andrea Horwath of the Ontario NDP party, are hosting a round table discussion on health care today at 3:30 pm at the Espanola Recreation Complex.

Road conditions were not a factor in the 3 vehicle collision that closed Highway 17 for a couple of hours yesterday morning just east of Spanish.  For unknown reasons, a Honda Civic crossed the center line and hit an oncoming pick up truck.  When the Honda spun around, it collided with another vehicle on the road. The 17 year old male driving the Honda was air lifted to the Sudbury hospital with serious, but not fatal injuries.  All three of the vehicles were seriously damaged and towed away, but rest of the people involved experienced only minor injuries.  The OPP are continuing to investigate to determine if charges will be laid.