Category: Strong

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OPP Strong

Fatal Logging Truck Rollover

(STRONG TOWNSHIP, ON) – The Almaguin Highlands Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating a fatal single-vehicle rollover involving a commercial logging truck.

On Sunday, September 14, 2025, at approximately 7:00 a.m., the Almaguin Highlands OPP, North Bay Ambulance, and the Sundridge-Strong Fire Department responded to a report of a rollover collision on the southbound on-ramp from Highway 124 to Highway 11 in Strong Township.

The driver of the logging truck, a 70-year-old individual from Huntsville, was transported to hospital by ambulance and later pronounced deceased as a result of injuries sustained in the collision. The passenger was also transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The OPP’s Traffic Incident Management Enforcement (TIME) team is assisting with the investigation. The Highway 11 southbound on-ramp from Highway 124 was closed for approximately 12 hours while emergency crews and investigators were on scene.

Further updates will be provided as new information becomes available.

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OPP Police Press Releases Strong

Meth Bust – SAWCHUK & SIMPELL

(Strong Township, ON) – Police arrested and charged a driver and a passenger with drug-related offenses following a traffic stop.

On December 26, 2024, at approximately 1:30 a.m., members from the Almaguin Highlands Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were on general patrol, and conducted a traffic stop with a vehicle on Highway 124 in the township of Strong, when the ALPPR alerted officers of a potential wanted party.

During the investigation, the driver and passenger were arrested for possession of drugs. A search of the vehicle located drug paraphernalia, a digital scale and drugs suspected to be cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of just over $17,000.00.

As a result of the investigation, Alexis SAWCHUK, 34 years-of-age, from North Bay, was charged with:

  • Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – two counts
  • Possession of a schedule I substance – Two counts
  • Driving while under suspension

Further, Jason SIMPELL, 42 years-of-age, from North Bay, was charged with:

  • Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000
  • Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – two counts
  • Possession of a schedule I substance – Two counts
  • Fail to Comply with Probation Order

Both accused appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sudbury on December 27th, 2024, and were remanded into custody.

All OPP patrol vehicles are equipped with ALPR technology. ALPR has proven to be an effective way to increase the efficiency of discovering and conducting investigations related to both traffic and criminal offences. It does so by detecting licence plates that are linked to occurrences such as wanted or missing persons, stolen vehicles, suspended/prohibited drivers, vehicles associated with AMBER Alerts and other serious occurrences.

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OPP Police Press Releases Strong

DUPONT & KEMBLE

(STRONG TOWNSHIP, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged two people with numerous offences after conducting a routine traffic stop.

On March 29, 2024, shortly after 8:30 p.m., the Almaguin Highlands OPP conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that was speeding, on Highway 11 in Strong Township. An investigation led to the arrest of the two occupants, and a subsequent search of the vehicle.

Police seized drugs suspected to be cocaine, methamphetamine, hydromorphine tablets, fentanyl, and approximately $1700 dollars in Canadian currency. The street value for the drugs seized was approximately $ 10,000. Police also seized a loaded rifle, ammunition, brass knuckles, break and enter tools, numerous knives, and a mask.

As a result of the investigation, Cassandra KEMBLE, 31-years-old of Whitby was charged with the following:

·      Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was firearm

·      Unauthorized possession of a firearm

·      Personation with intent to avoid arrest, prosecution of obstruct justice (Identity Fraud)

·      Transport firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition in a careless manner

·      Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Cocaine

·      Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Opioid (other than heroin)

·      Fail to stop on right for emergency vehicle

·      Fail to surrender permit for motor vehicle

·      Fail to surrender insurance card

·      Driving while under suspension – two counts

·      Speeding 1- 49 Km/h over posted limit

Further, Kenneth DUPONT, 40-years-of-old of Windsor was charged with:

·      Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was firearm

·      Unauthorized possession of a firearm

·      Personation with intent to avoid arrest, prosecution of obstruct justice (Identity Fraud)

·      Transport firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition in a careless manner

·      Fail to comply with probation order – two counts

·      Failure to comply with release order – other than to attend court – three counts

·      Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose

·      Unauthorized possession weapon

·      Possession of a schedule I substance – Methamphetamine

·      Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Cocaine

·      Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking -Opioid (other than heroin)

·      Possession property obtained by crime under $5000 – in Canada

Both accused were held for a bail hearing and remanded into custody.

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OPP Police Press Releases Strong

Theodore SAVARIE – Drunk Driving

(STRONG TOWNSHIP, ON) – One person has been charged for impaired driving following multiple traffic complaints.

On March 14, 2024, shortly after 5:50 p.m., the Almaguin Highlands Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to multiple traffic complaints of a tractor trailer on Highway 11 in the Township of Strong.

Police were able to locate the tractor trailer and conduct a traffic stop. Upon speaking with the driver, the officer determined that the driver had been consuming alcoholic beverages. The driver was subsequently arrested and transported to the OPP detachment for further testing.

As a result of the investigation, Theodore SAVARIE, 52 years-of-age, of North Bay, was charged with:

  • Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
  • Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
  • Drive motor vehicle with open container of liquor
  • Drive commercial motor vehicle in contravention of conditions
  • Drive vehicle with cannabis readily available

The accused was released from police custody and is schedule to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice on Thursday April 25, 2024, in Sundridge, Ontario.

The driver was issued a 90-day Administrative Driver’s Licence Suspension, and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.