Brampton trucker charged in crash that killed mayor of small town near Marathon
Published November 22, 2021 at 10:17 am
Police have laid charges in a fatal crash last February that killed the mayor of the Township of Schreiber.
On Feb. 13 around 7:21 p.m., officers from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Marathon detachment were called to a stretch of Hwy 17 approximately 30km west of Marathon after receiving reports of a collision involving a pickup truck and semi-truck.
When emergency crews arrived on scene they found a grey GMC pickup truck in the westbound lane of the highway up against the guard rails, and a blue tractor trailer unit in the eastbound ditch near the Little Pic River Bridge.
Police say the only occupant of the pickup and was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
The victim has been identified as 69-year-old David Hamilton, who was mayor of the Township of Schreiber which is a small community about 95 kilometres west of Marathon.
A post on the Township’s Facebook page said Hamilton had been a town councillor for six years before becoming mayor.
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“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mayor Dave Hamilton,” the post reads.
“He will be remembered for the virtues of his leadership, wisdom, kindness and hardworking resolve in ensuring the best for his community.”
The driver and passenger of the transport trailer were transported to a local hospital and treated for minor injuries and later released.
Police said Highway 17 was closed from Terrace Bay to Marathon for hours while investigators worked to determine the cause of the crash.
On Sunday, police said 35-year-old Prabhjot Cheema of Brampton has been charged with dangerous operation causing death. He is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 20.
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