Man, 18, charged after collision involving Ontario Premier Doug Ford

An 18-year-old Oshawa man has been charged with harmful driving after a collision involving an Ontario Provincial Police automobile that was transporting Premier Doug Ford on Wednesday, the OPP says.

The premier, his employees and the OPP officers with him had been unharmed, in accordance with Grace Lee, spokesperson for Ford’s workplace.

The driving force of the opposite automobile and a passenger suffered minor accidents, the OPP mentioned in a information launch on Wednesday. 

Earlier on Wednesday, Ford informed reporters the automobile he was in was sideswiped on the freeway after he left a information convention at Ontario Energy Technology.

“We had been simply driving straight and the following factor we bought hammered, simply hammered,” he mentioned.

“I am OK, this head is like limestone. It is exhausting as a rock,” he joked.

The 2-vehicle collision, which concerned a automobile operated by the OPP Protecting Companies Part, occurred within the westbound lanes of Freeway 401, approaching Brock Street, in Pickering, in accordance with the provincial police.

Officers from the OPP’s freeway security division had been known as to the scene at about 12:30 p.m.

Ford mentioned the automobile during which he was travelling was in its lane and going the velocity restrict. He additionally mentioned the driver of the opposite automobile ended up on the opposite aspect of the freeway.

“He was out of fee,” Ford mentioned. “It was dangerous. I simply pray he is OK.”

Crombie ‘relieved’ that Ford not injured in crash

Ontario Liberal Get together Chief Bonnie Crombie mentioned in an announcement on Wednesday that she was glad the premier was not injured.

“After listening to of the accident involving the Premier, employees, OPP officers and civilians I’m relieved to listen to that nobody sustained critical accidents and that everybody has been launched from the hospital,” Crombie mentioned.

“I need to acknowledge and thank the world class first responders we have now in Ontario who had been on scene to assist,” she added. 

“I do know this should have been a scary state of affairs for all these concerned and what issues now’s that everybody shall be returning house protected to their households tonight.”

In an announcement on Thursday, the Ontario NDP mentioned it was additionally glad that the premier was not harm.

“Marit Stiles and everybody within the Ontario NDP staff are relieved that the Premier is unhurt. We hope for a swift restoration for anybody who was injured,” the assertion mentioned.

The accused is because of seem in the Ontario Courtroom of Justice in Oshawa on Feb. 20.

Anybody who witnessed the collision or who has dashboard digicam footage is being requested to name the OPP’s freeway security division at 1-888-310-1122, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).