Distracted driving charge laid after Kenora crash video goes viral
Christopher Lord of La Broquerie, Man., charged after March 1 crash involving Sioux Lookout couple
A video of a crash between two vehicles on Highway 17 west of Kenora, Ont., has helped Ontario Provincial Police lay a charge of distracted driving against a Manitoba man.
Kenora OPP said Christopher Lord, 36, of La Broquerie, Man. was charged with failing to yield to traffic at an intersection — as well as operating a motor vehicle with a handheld communication device — in the aftermath of the March 1 collision.
The crash happened at the west intersection of Highway 17 and 17A near Kenora, and was recorded by a dash-cam in the eastbound vehicle. The video shows a northbound pickup truck failed to stop for the stop sign.
Kenora OPP said video provided "further evidence" to assist in laying charges against Lord.
Lord was treated at the scene for minor injuries and the driver and a passenger in the eastbound vehicle, Ralph and Ifka Ireland of Sioux Lookout, Ont., were transported to the Lake of the Woods District Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Video of the collision went viral, garnering thousands of shares on Facebook.
Ireland said he's lucky to be alive after the crash.
"Had I not hit the brakes, he'd be dead. And we might be as well."
Ireland said he and his wife were heading home after a trip to Winnipeg when they collided with the truck.
WARNING: Explicit audio.
Fast forward to the 1 minute mark to witness the collision.
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