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Two teens charged in fatal crash that killed Barrie girl

Two males have been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death following deadly rollover on Georgian Drive last month

City police have laid charges against two teenagers following a deadly rollover that killed a Barrie girl on Jan. 29.

Following an investigation by the Barrie traffic unit, police said Monday afternoon that a 17-year-old male and 19-year-old male were arrested on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020 and are each facing a charge of dangerous operation of a conveyance (motor vehicle) causing death, contrary to section 320.13(3) of the Criminal Code of Canada.

They were remanded in custody for a bail hearing on Monday and are scheduled to appear next at the Ontario Court of Justice located in Barrie on March 19 and March 17, respectively.

Barrie police communications co-ordinator Peter Leon told BarrieToday this afternoon that the charges were laid based on video evidence and witness statements obtained by investigators. 

"All I can say is there was an interaction that took place" between the two vehicles prior to the crash, Leon said. "There was evidence to support the charges."

The police investigation is closed "unless something else materializes," Leon said. 

"As a result of the investigation, it should serve as a message that people need to operate their motor vehicles cautiously and in respect of the law," he added. 

On Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, at 9:10 p.m., Barrie police responded to a report of a single-vehicle collision that had occurred on Georgian Drive in the city's north end, near the entrance to Georgian College.

Upon arrival at the scene, police determined the driver of a westbound vehicle had lost control as it entered the curve in the road just west of the driveway to the college.

The car left the roadway after mounting a snow bank on the north side of the road, struck a large directional road sign, rolled numerous times and came to rest in an open, snow-covered area between Georgian Drive and Highway 400. 

Paige Ferreira, the 17-year-old female passenger from Barrie, was taken to nearby Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre by County of Simcoe Paramedic Services where a short time later she was pronounced deceased.

Ferreira was a student at Eastview Secondary School. 

"This is a horrible tragedy that took place and certainly impacted the community in a number of ways," Leon said.

The male driver, whom police have previously identified as also being 17 years old, was also taken to hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The road was reopened at approximately 3:15 a.m. after the at scene collision investigation was completed.



Raymond Bowe

About the Author: Raymond Bowe

Raymond is an award-winning journalist who has been reporting from Simcoe County since 2000
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