Editor's note: This story was updated on April 30, 2024 at 9:20 a.m. to include details on the driver and charges laid.
The driver of a vehicle that struck a natural gas service port, shutting down a stretch of County Road 27 through Bond Head Monday, has been charged.
Emergency crews responded to a report of a single-vehicle collision along County Road 27 on April 29. South Simcoe police say the driver lost control of the vehicle, and it left the roadway and entered a ditch, striking the gas port. The damage caused a leak on a line running between the 6th Line and the south end of the village, which is located in the western part of Bradford West Gwillimbury.
The crash fully closed that stretch for several hours. South Simcoe police asked commuters to use an alternative route home Monday evening, though the road did reopen just before 7 p.m.
The driver was transported to hospital.
"Investigation is continuing with possible charges pending," Sgt. Dave Phillips told BradfordToday Monday night.
On Tuesday morning, Phillips confirmed the driver, a 63-year-old man from North Bay, had been charged with careless driving.
Bradford Fire and Emergency Services crews were on scene for several hours Monday for safety reasons, while utility workers restored gas service.
“There is no evacuation as of yet,” Sgt. Dave Phillips said shortly after the crash occurred. “Fire has checked four homes for gas in the area and will be the lead on that. The road will be closed until the gas leak is rectified.”
