(NORTH BAY, ON) – An individual engaged in roadside solicitation sustained non-life-threatening injuries following a collision on Highway 11 in North Bay.
On Saturday, September 20, 2025, at approximately 8:20 a.m., members of the North Bay Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), along with North Bay Fire and North Bay Ambulance, responded to a report of a collision involving a pickup truck and a pedestrian at the intersection of Highway 11 and Trout Lake Road.
Initial investigation revealed that the pedestrian entered a live lane of traffic while vehicles had the right of way. The individual was struck by a pickup truck and was observed to have suffered a head injury before fleeing the scene. OPP Canine Unit was deployed to assist in locating the injured person, who was later found at a nearby restaurant. The individual was assessed by paramedics and transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
This incident highlights ongoing public safety concerns related to roadside solicitation in high-traffic areas. The OPP’s Safer Streets Initiative, launched in 2024, aims to reduce the risks associated with panhandling at intersections by educating the public and promoting safer alternatives to direct roadside giving.
The OPP is committed to keeping everyone safe, on the roads and in our communities. While roadside solicitation is not always linked to homelessness, the OPP supports coordinated responses to complex societal issues and continues to work with community and government partners to address the broader challenges faced by vulnerable individuals.