Our community is mourning the loss of a young life following a tragic collision in the City of Kawartha Lakes that claimed the life of a 16-year-old Bobcaygeon girl and left another teen fighting for survival.
Members of the Ontario Provincial Police responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of County Road 49 and Burys Green Road shortly before 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. The teenage driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while the sole passenger in her vehicle sustained life-threatening injuries.
The passenger was initially transported to a local hospital before being airlifted by Ornge air ambulance to a trauma centre for specialized care. The driver of the second vehicle involved in the collision was not injured.
The severity of the crash required an extensive investigation and road closure. County Road 49 remained shut down between White Valley Road and Somerville 3rd Concession throughout the night as members of the OPP Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement team worked to piece together what happened. The roadway didn't reopen until approximately 4 a.m. Sunday morning.
Investigators are still working to determine what caused the collision. The OPP is reaching out to the community for assistance, asking anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have dashcam footage from the area around the time of the incident to come forward and contact police.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly lives can change on our roadways. Our thoughts are with the families affected by this tragedy as they navigate the difficult days ahead.
