1 Dead, 4 Hurt Following 3-Vehicle Hwy. 15 Crash Southwest of Ottawa

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are investigating a fatal 3-vehicle collision on Highway 15 near Smiths Falls — a township southwest of Ottawa — on May 29, 2026.

What Happened?

• The incident took place on the highway between County Road 1 and County Road 5, near Otter Lake, around 5pm ET on May 29.
• According to OPP, 2 cars and an ambulance that didn’t have patients on board collided.
• Officials pronounced the driver of 1 of the cars, a 34-year-old man from the Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley, dead at the scene. A young child in the car was airlifted to hospital in critical condition.
• The ambulance driver and their passenger are being treated for serious injuries, while the driver of the other car was hospitalized with minor injuries.

Investigation Updates

The cause of the fatal collision remains under investigation. It’s unclear if charges are pending.

🔔 Anyone with information on the incident, including cellphone or dashcam footage, is asked to contact the OPP.

Car Accident Near You? What to Do

Following an incident like this near Ottawa, you should:

1. Avoid the accident area so that officials can safely investigate.
2. Reduce speed appropriately when passing emergency vehicles.
3. Remain vigilant when travelling past the accident area.

Your Rights After a Car Accident Near Ottawa

If you’re injured in a car accident near Ottawa — whether as a driver, passenger, cyclist, or pedestrian — you may be entitled to:

• Accident benefits under Ontario’s Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS).
• Additional compensation through a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Ontario imposes strict timelines — some insurer deadlines are days after an accident. Speak to an Ottawa personal injury lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP before accepting a settlement.