A heart-stopping moment unfolded on Highway 144 near Sudbury last week when a vehicle traveling in the wrong lane nearly caused multiple head-on collisions. The terrifying incident, captured on dashcam footage, shows several northbound drivers forced to swerve onto the shoulder to avoid catastrophe.
The video, now circulating on social media, was recorded by Mike Campbell while driving with his family near the Cartier exit. “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” Campbell told me during a phone interview. “My wife was screaming, the kids were in the back, and this car just kept coming straight at traffic like nothing was wrong.”
In the footage, at least three vehicles can be seen taking evasive action as the wrong-way driver continues southbound in the northbound lane. The incident reportedly lasted several kilometers before the driver eventually corrected their position.
Ontario Provincial Police Constable Michelle Coulombe confirmed they received multiple 911 calls about the incident. “This type of driving behavior puts everyone at serious risk,” she said. “We’re investigating whether impairment, medical issues, or confusion played a role.”
Highway 144, which connects Sudbury to Timmins, has seen an uptick in concerning driving incidents over the past year. Ministry of Transportation data shows a 12% increase in traffic infractions along this corridor since 2022, with wrong-way driving remaining relatively rare but extraordinarily dangerous.
Transportation safety expert Dr. Lisa Raitt from McMaster University points out that wrong-way driving incidents are particularly lethal. “When vehicles collide head-on at highway speeds, the combined force is catastrophic,” she explained. “The survival rate drops dramatically compared to other types of collisions.”
The incident has sparked renewed calls for improved highway signage in Northern Ontario. The Northern Ontario Municipal Association has previously advocated for enhanced “wrong way” indicators at key interchanges and exits, particularly in areas where winter conditions can obscure road markings.
Sudbury resident Thomas Lapointe, who regularly commutes on Highway 144, wasn’t surprised when I showed him the footage. “The highway infrastructure up here doesn’t get the same attention as southern Ontario roads,” he remarked while pumping gas at a station near the Cartier exit. “Some of these entrance ramps are poorly marked, especially at night or in bad weather.”
Ministry officials have confirmed they’re reviewing the incident location for possible safety improvements. “We take these near-misses very seriously,” said regional director Janet McIntyre. “Sometimes it takes a close call to identify areas where additional precautions might be necessary.”
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the wrong-way driver to contact the Sudbury OPP detachment. They’re also reminding drivers who encounter a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction to reduce speed, move to the shoulder if possible, and call 911 immediately once safely stopped.
Campbell, whose quick reaction likely prevented a collision, remains shaken. “You never expect to play dodge-em cars on a highway,” he said. “I’m just grateful everyone made it through without getting hurt. A few seconds difference, and we could be talking about a tragedy instead of a close call.”
The incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly highway conditions can change and the importance of maintaining vigilance behind the wheel. As winter approaches, OPP will be increasing patrols along Highway 144 and other Northern Ontario routes known for challenging driving conditions.
For now, the identity of the wrong-way driver remains unknown, though police indicate charges are likely once their investigation concludes. Meanwhile, Campbell’s footage continues to circulate as a sobering warning about highway safety in Ontario’s north.
