The horrific head-on crash that claimed a person's life earlier this morning was the result of a person driving in the wrong direction in the northbound lanes of Highway 11, say police.
Orillia OPP say the incident, which sparked a fire and sent smoke billowing into the air, occurred shortly after 2 a.m. this morning after multiple reports of a 'wrong-way vehicle' on the busy provincial highway.
One person was confirmed deceased at the scene. No other injuries have been reported.
The fiery crash happened just south of Line 7 in Oro-Medonte Township. It's unclear why the person was driving in the wrong direction.
Orillia OPP, along with Oro-Medonte Township firefighters and County of Simcoe paramedics responded to the crash.
OPP Central Region traffic reconstruction officers were also called to the scene to assist with the investigation.
Due to significant damage to the highway, officials from the province's Ministry of Transportation are on scene to assess damage. The northbound lanes of Highway 11 will remain closed until further notice.
This is the second fatal crash on local roads within 24 hours. On Thursday morning, a Fenelon Falls man was killed in a two-vehicle crash near Coldwater.
"This, sadly, marks the fifth fatality this week on OPP Central Region patrolled highways, and the ninth fatality in the month of April in the region," notes an OPP media release.
Police remind drivers to take care and stay alert while driving.
The Orillia OPP request that any witnesses who have not already spoken to police or have dash cam footage of this morning's collision on Highway 11 to call the Orillia OPP at 705-326-3536 or at 1-888-310-1122.
