OLIVER PAIPOONGE — Ontario Provincial Police in Thunder Bay are investigating a fatal two-vehicle collision on Highway 11/17 that claimed the lives of two women Thursday night.
OPP say officers and emergency medical services were called to the scene at approximately 9:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, February 5, 2026, following a collision involving two passenger vehicles on Highway 11/17 between Highway 130 and Highway 588.
Police said a 23-year-old woman from Poplar Hill and a 28-year-old woman from Eabametoong First Nation were pronounced deceased at the scene. Two other people were transported to hospital with minor injuries, OPP said.
Names have not been released pending notification of family.
Highway closure and investigation
Highway 11/17 was closed for several hours between Sistonen’s Corners and Highway 130 while officers and the OPP Traffic Incident Management Enforcement (TIME) Team conducted their investigation.
OPP have not released details on what may have caused the crash. The investigation remains ongoing.
Witnesses and dashcam requested
Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision—or who has dashcam footage from the area around the time of the crash—to contact OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
Anonymous tips can be provided through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
