‘Negative consequences’: OPP address drone images of fatal Hwy. 417 collision

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has released a statement regarding drone images of a fatal collision which circulated online.

 “These photos contained images of the collision scene and of the deceased female,” the Ottawa OPP said in a release. “The victim’s family had viewed these photos on social media sites prior to being notified by police. We would like to remind the public that there can be unintended negative consequences for family members when collision or crime scene photos are uploaded to social media sites.”

Emergency services, including Ottawa OPP, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS), Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) and the Ottawa Paramedic Service, responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a wrong-way vehicle on Highway 417 around 3:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 18.

Police say the vehicle was travelling eastbound in the westbound lanes, and shortly after the initial 9-1-1 call, a second call came in reporting a collision on the westbound highway at Aviation Parkway.

The driver going the wrong way was extricated from the vehicle by firefighters. Life-saving measures were attempted but the 37-year-old Gloucester woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Both the driver and passenger from the vehicle that had been struck were transported to hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries.

The cause of the collision is still under investigation.

The OPP is also reminding drone operators that it’s against regulations to operate your drone over traffic collision sites and a violation could lead to a $1,000 fine.