Category: Lansdowne

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Lansdowne OPP Police Press Releases

Another Fatal Pedestrian Collision

(LANSDOWNE, ON) – The Leeds County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is currently investigating a fatal collision on Highway 401 in the westbound direction, between Mallorytown and Lansdowne.

On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at approximately 5:30 a.m., Leeds OPP received reports that an occupant who had exited their parked vehicle on the shoulder of Highway 401 was struck and killed by a moving vehicle.

As a result of the severity of the collision, the East Region Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement Unit (TIME) attended the scene. This includes the OPP’s Technical Traffic Collision Investigation Unit (TCI), and an OPP Collision Reconstructionist.

The OPP Forensics Identification Services have also been engaged and are assisting with the investigation, which is now being conducted in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner.

The deceased was identified. Their identity will not be released to safeguard the privacy of the grieving family. A postmortem examination has been ordered and will be conducted in the near future.

The highway remained closed for several hours, allowing for a thorough and complete investigation.

If you have any information that could assist the investigation, contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 and refer to incident E250857754. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leave your tip online at ontariocrimestoppers.ca

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Lansdowne OPP Police Press Releases

Serious Injuries – Jo Ellen BAXTER Arrested

(LANSDOWNE, ON) – A driver faces multiple charges after they were involved in a serious collision on Highway 401.

On Wednesday, March 26, 2025, shortly after 7:00 a.m., members of the Leeds County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were dispatched to reports of a head-on, three-vehicle collision near mile marker 652 in the westbound direction. Two of the drivers sustained minor injuries, while the third driver sustained serious injuries. This driver was transported to a regional trauma center, where their injuries were determined to be non-life-threatening.

Leeds County OPP’s investigation, assisted by OPP Collision Reconstructionists and Technical Traffic Collision Investigators, has now resulted in charges.

28-year-old Jo Ellen BAXTER of Thunder Bay is charged with:

  • Dangerous operation causing bodily harm
  • Driving motor vehicle with liquor readily available – Liquor Licence and Control Act
  • Drive vehicle or boat with cannabis readily available – Cannabis Control Act

The accused was released and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brockville on May 30, 2025.

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Lansdowne OPP Police Press Releases

Robert K. SMITH Was Arrested

(LANSDOWNE, ON) – The Leeds County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged an individual with ten offences as a result of a multi-jurisdictional dangerous driving investigation.

On Monday, September 2, 2024, shortly after 5:30 p.m., Leeds County OPP officers were requested to assist Belleville Police Service and Quinte West OPP in locating and arresting a dangerous driver who was reported to have nearly struck firefighters in Belleville. The vehicle was also reported as having overtaken a number of vehicles at extremely high rates of speed, including on the shoulders of Highway 401.

The driver refused to cooperate with police and would not stop the vehicle. Officers were eventually able to make an arrest without incident.

As a result of this investigation, 55 year-old Robert K. SMITH of Ottawa has been charged with:

  • Dangerous Operation, Criminal Code
  • Resist Peace Officer, Criminal Code
  • Flight from Peace Officer, Criminal Code
  • Uttering Threats – Cause Death or Bodily Harm, Criminal Code
  • Operation while Impaired – Alcohol and Drugs, Criminal Code
  • Failure or Refusal to Comply with Demand – two counts, Criminal Code
  • Drive Vehicle with Cannabis Readily Available, Cannabis Control Act
  • Drive Motor Vehicle – Perform Stunt, Highway Traffic Act
  • Possess Unmarked Cigarettes, Tobacco Tax Act

The accused has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brockville later this month.

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Lansdowne OPP Police Press Releases

Berry HILLIARD & Ryan O’KANE – Theft

(LANSDOWNE, ON) – The Leeds County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged two people following a theft investigation.

On February 25, 2024, just before 2:00 a.m., Leeds County OPP officers were conducting ongoing proactive patrols in Front Leeds-Lansdowne Township, following several reports of suspicious activity.

Two men were observed within the lightly forested area. The Emergency Response Team and the area Canine Unit assisted in arresting the two. Copper wire and tools used to obtain the wire were seized.

Berry HILLIARD, age 53, and Ryan O’KANE, age 45, both from Kingston, are facing the following Criminal Code charges:

  • Theft Under $5000 – one count
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5000 – one count

Both individuals were released by way of an Undertaking and are scheduled to appear in the Brockville Ontario Court of Justice on April 5, 2024, to answer to these charges.