One dead, one arrested in Latchford OPP investigation

The OPP says one person is dead and another is under arrest after a wild night just north of Latchford.

The province's special investigations unit (SIU) has also invoked its mandate in relation to the investigation. 

The SIU is an arms-length agency that investigates police-involved incidents where there has been a death, serious injury, allegations of sexual assault, or the discharge of a firearm at a person.

Yesterday evening (March 7) around 5 p.m., Kirkland Lake OPP tried to stop a vehicle near Government Road West and Woods Street in Kirkland Lake.

The vehicle failed to stop, say police, and officers from the Kirkland Lake OPP and the Temiskaming OPP engaged in a "suspect apprehension pursuit", more commonly called a police chase. The route the police chase took is not included in the update, but from that intersection of Kirkland Lake to Portage Bay Road, where police said the investigation was focused last night, the distance ranges from about 100 kilometres to 120 kilometres.

"One person is deceased, and one person has been taken into custody. Residents should anticipate an increased police presence in the area," acting Staff Sgt Robert Simpson says in a release.

As a result of the incident, a shelter-in-place was issued in the Latchford and surrounding area and has since been lifted. At this time, there are no ongoing concerns for public safety.

See related: VIDEO: 'Shelter in place' lifted in Latchford

As of noon today, Highway 11 remains closed from Portage Bay Road to Highway 11B for investigation. Motorists are encouraged to find alternate routes or avoid the area if possible. Because of the closure, people driving Highway 144 between Sudbury and Timmins are reporting higher levels of traffic.

Because of the SIU's involvement, OPP is not able to provide any further information.