Incident Overview

In a startling incident that had many drivers holding their breath, a 70-year-old man from Etobicoke was charged with stunt driving after reportedly traveling in the wrong direction on the notorious Highway 401.

Emergency Response

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received multiple 911 calls around 6 p.m. on Sunday from concerned motorists who spotted a silver SUV barreling eastbound in the highway's westbound lanes near Loyalist Township.

Eyewitness Accounts

Eyewitnesses recounted the harrowing scene, saying that the driver was weaving dangerously through traffic at speeds that reached 100 km/h (about 62 mph) before dropping to 50 km/h (31 mph) at times, heightening the risk for other vehicles on the road.

Driver's Journey

The wayward driver managed to enter the highway at Camden East Road and continued his wrong-way journey for approximately seven kilometers before finally exiting at Wilton Road.

Law Enforcement Response

Remarkably, no collisions occurred during this perilous ride. However, the driver’s dangerous maneuvers triggered immediate action from law enforcement.

Search and Discovery

The OPP coordinated with local officers to locate the elderly man, who was found parked in a neighborhood in Kingston. A family member had reported him missing prior to this incident, which helped the police narrow down their search through a cell phone ping that indicated his location.

Legal Consequences

Now facing serious charges for dangerous operation of a vehicle and stunt driving, he is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Napanee in the near future.

Public Call to Action

The OPP’s Lennox and Addington detachment is appealing to the public for any eyewitnesses or those with dashcam footage to come forward with information.

Conclusion

This alarming incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictabilities on our roads and the vital importance of keeping our highways safe.

Contact Information

If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact OPP at 1-888-310-1122 and reference case number E241694379.

Further Updates

Stay tuned as we continue to follow this developing story!