Head-on collision on Long-Sault Bridge kills one, closes bridge to traffic

One man has been killed and two others are in hospital following a head-on collision between two vehicles on the Long-Sault Bridge between Hawkesbury and Grenville on Sunday, August 14 around 8:45 p.m.

As a result of the crash, the Ontario Provincial Police in Hawkesbury closed the entire bridge to traffic until 3 a.m. Monday morning.

According to a statement provided by the Eastern Region headquarters of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), 43-year-old Benoit Despatie of L'Orignal was killed on impact and pronounced dead at the scene.

"The investigation indicates that a white Honda heading northbound lost control, crossed the centre line and then collided with a southbound, white Chevrolet Impala," stated Sgt. Kristine Rae.

The driver of the Impala, a 63-year-old male from Rigaud, Quebec, and his female passenger were taken to hospital in Montreal with serious injuries.

Police said alcohol and speed are being investigated as factors in the collision.

As of 9:30 p.m., officers were redirecting traffic to the ferry crossing between Lefaivre and Montebello, while other drivers decided to wait for the bridge to reopen.

No information about the accident was available from the Hawkesbury OPP as of press time. A dispatcher informed The Review that the community relations officer was away on vacation and the detachment sergeant had stated that no information would be made available to media until his return on August 22.

The Sûreté du Québec said its officers were only stationed there to assist with traffic on the Grenville side of the bridge, but that the file was being handled by the Hawkesbury OPP.