At approximately 6:05 p.m. yesterday, officers from the Thunder Bay and Nipigon Detachments of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Shuniah Fire and Emergency Services and Superior North Emergency Medical Service (EMS) responded to a multi-vehicle collision on Highway 11/17 near Pearl Road 5, in the Municipality of Shuniah.
Preliminary investigation revealed that an eastbound sport utility vehicle (SUV) attempted to make a left turn into a rest stop located along Highway 11/17, when it was struck from behind by a tractor trailer unit (TTU).
The SUV then collided with a westbound pick-up truck.
The two occupants from the SUV were pronounced deceased at the scene.
They have been identified as Joann Mendowegan, 61, of Thunder Bay, and Christopher Towegigshig, 46, of Greenstone.
The four occupants of the pick-up truck were transported to hospital by ambulance with non-life threatening injuries.
The driver of the TTU was not injured.
OPP Technical Collision Investigators (TCI) attended the scene to assist with the investigation.
Highway 11/17 was closed for approximately eight hours while the investigation was conducted.
The investigation is continuing.
