On Friday, December 6, 2019 at around 10:30am Huntsville Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) along with Muskoka EMS and Huntsville/Lake of Bays Fire were notified of a serious collision on Highway #11 at South Mary Lake Road in the town of Huntsville.
Initial investigation found that a BMW was westbound on South Mary Lake Road and was struck by a cube van that was northbound on Highway #11. Driver of the BMW was pronounced deceased at the scene. Two occupants of the cube van were treated by Muskoka EMS and released at the scene.
The driver of the BMW has been identified as Keisha ANDREWS (41yrs) of Sudbury ON.
OPP Traffic Reconstructionist, along with Traffic Collision Investigators attended the scene to assist with the investigation.
Highway #11 northbound was closed at the scene for several hours, with traffic being redirected north on Greer Road, Huntsville.
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An on ramp for cars trying to head north would solve this disaster in an instant. No car should have to turn straight onto a highway with that kind of speed coming. On ramp people.
Interesting, what about the cube van truckdriver? This issue over this stretch of Hwy has been dangerous for many decades. Why hasn’t this been changed to a service road? In the north, there are so many overpasses without traffic, where are the planners’ heads? Yet Stephenson Road, South Mary Lake Road is so busy all year round, that incurs death, truck accidents and no service road? What pressures are being exerted to prevent the latter from happening? Let’s look at that one?
We travelled to the highway this morning and observed two problems with the stop sign approaching the highway.
1. There are trees in front of the stop sign that are obstructing the view that should be removed. 2. The flashing red light on the sign is pointing towards the plaza, not down South Mary Lake Road. Maybe MTO could look into this. So sad this tragic accident has happened again.
This reminds of the pre four laning of Huntsville to North Bay. Prior to the completion, on average 6 people per year were killed on that 125 km stretch of Hwy 11. Now after 600 million dollars, about 4 people a year are killed on that stretch ( and 1/2 hour is saved on the trip North Bay to Toronto.
I used to argue all the time with Northeastern MTO Director, that if North Bay had been given a choice of 4 laning or $250 million cash ( their share by population of the $600 million) did he really think that the population would take 4 laning….not a chance.
So now we are at it again….a groundswell is building for over passes on Hwy 11 here and mostly south of Gravenhurst. Only one taxpayer and sadly still lives will be lost
NB there are intersection around Powassan ( after 600 million) very much like the South Mary and Hwy 11…..doesn’t seem to be a problem
You’re right. Building an overpass or installing stop lights in that place will trigger a precedent that may lead to building overpasses or stop lights even on small roads used by few users. Let’s be realistic,It’s not the fault of the missing overpass or stop lights, it’s just the fault of the driver driving the vehicle.
This intersection puts your westbound car on an uphill grade coming to the stop sign. The turning lane is very busy, and blocks your view of the northbound traffic that is coming straight through. It’s quite difficult to get a clear view – on a Friday night especially.
I agree that blocking the median is the best interim answer, even though it will be inconvenient for me and very hard on the businesses at this location.
Lots of signs southbound before the 141 exit would be helpful, and signs before Greer Road indicating the safer route to the overpass should be erected,
Well Gerald there are many level crossings on the hwy but why is there so many accidents at that one compared to the others. There must be a reason other than just people not paying attention I’ve used that intersection many times with no problem maybe just lucky.
Of course it’s tragic, but it’s simple…..you yield to traffic on the highway. It doesn’t matter what the nanny state does to prevent accidents, people will find a way.
How many overpasses and stop lights does it take? Let’s be realistic here.
Very sad, they need an overpass on that road. A lot of people live on Lone Pine Drive and need access to the facilities at that location. An over pass would save lives and keep the businesses thriving . Let’s act on doing this sooner than later. R. I. P.
They need stop lights on that intersection. I know it would be a pain but would save lives. Or just block it off and make people go north to the overpass at least until they make an overpass there.