Ontario driver charged after dog causes car crash

A 66-year-old man from St. Thomas is facing charges of careless driving under the Highway Traffic Act following a single-vehicle crash in Huron East, Ontario.

According to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the driver lost control of his SUV on Kippen Road after a dog jumped into the front seat, distracting him. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree stump, causing the airbags to deploy and rendering the vehicle inoperable. The driver sustained minor injuries.

Police have advised motorists traveling with animals to ensure pets are secured with seatbelt harnesses or kept behind a pet barrier to prevent obstructions and distractions that could lead to a loss of control.