Hwy 15 crash near Portland sent one driver to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries
PORTLAND — A late-night crash on Highway 15 escalated into a physical confrontation, leaving one driver injured and another facing multiple criminal charges.
Ontario Provincial Police say the incident happened shortly after 11 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, near Freeland Road, when two vehicles were involved in a rear-end collision.
Police allege the driver of one vehicle fled the scene before officers arrived. The other driver remained but was injured during a physical altercation between the two individuals. He was taken to a regional trauma centre with non-life-threatening injuries.
With help from members of the public, officers located the heavily damaged vehicle about an hour later a short distance from the crash site. The driver was found and arrested.
Arian Baraki, 39, of Caledon is charged with assault causing bodily harm, dangerous operation, failure to stop after an accident, and driving while under suspension.
He was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brockville on May 29, 2026.
Police are reminding the public that road safety is a shared responsibility. Anyone who witnesses dangerous or erratic driving is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
SOURCE: OPP
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