DRYDEN, ON – On Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at approximately 10:00 a.m., Dryden OPP officers responded to a single–commercial motor vehicle (CMV) collision on Highway 17 between Johnston Road and Glengold Road.
A CMV trailer had rolled over and caught fire. Both occupants were transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and the blaze was quickly contained.
Charges and Court Date
Following the investigation, 38-year-old Pawaninder Singh Sandhu of Guelph has been charged with dangerous operation causing bodily harm. He is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Dryden on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Highway Closure and Reopening
Highway 17 was closed in both directions between Highway 594 and Leach Road while OPP’s Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement Team processed the scene. The roadway reopened just before 1:00 p.m.
Public Appeal
Anyone with information about this collision is asked to contact the Dryden OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or visit ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
This incident once again highlights the issue of the Trans-Canada Highway in Northern Ontario not being a divided highway. Any MVC that shuts down the highway ends up stalling traffic across Canada.
