Articles
Collision Involving a Police Cruiser on Highway 401
A stolen vehicle struck an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) cruiser on Highway 401 eastbound between Palace Road and County Road 4 on June 5, 2026, leading to a complete shutdown and multiple criminal charges.
In an email to Emergency Response Watch, "The driver of the vehicle fled into the woods," said Sergeant Erin Cranton, the East Region Media Relations Coordinator with the OPP. "The OPP Emergency Response Team and Canine attended to assist with the search."
"The driver was located a short time later and arrested. Investigation determined the vehicle involved had been stolen earlier in the week from Kaladar," Cranton said.
As a result of the investigation, 30-year-old Michael Muchmore of Kingston was charged with:
• Dangerous operation
• Flight from peace officer
• Failure to stop after accident
• Fail to comply with a probation order
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000
• Fail to remain
• Drive while under suspension
Emergency Medical Services and Loyalist Township Emergency Services also responded to the collision.
"The officer driving the police cruiser that was struck sustained minor injuries. No other injuries were reported," Cranton said. "The police cruiser sustained significant damage as a result of the collision."
Eastbound Highway 401 remained closed for more than two hours while emergency crews responded and the OPP searched for the suspect. The highway fully reopened shortly before 5:00 p.m.
Greater Napanee Fire Department battles large barn fire on South Shore Road
Napanee - On June 8, 2026 shortly after 7:00 p.m., the Greater Napanee Fire Department (GNFD) responded to a large structure fire that was fully involved upon arrival, on South Shore Road. The road was closed for multiple hours to allow crews to shuttle water to the incident from Road 1.
Multiple residents reported seeing the smoke plume from Belleville, Centerville, Deseronto, Kingston and Prince Edward County.
In an e-mail to Emergency Response Watch, the Town's Community Engagement & Communications Coordinator, Kylie Huffman said, "Upon arrival crews encountered a large barn fire measuring approximately 800 ft by 200 ft that was fully involved. The structure was completely consumed by fire. There were no injuries or loss of life as a result of this incident."
Huffman said "At the height of the incident, more than 40 firefighters were operating on scene. Through coordinated fire suppression efforts, a large adjacent barn was successfully protected."
The fire required mutual aid which saw a response from the Deseronto Fire Department, Loyalist Township Emergency Services, the Mohawk Fire Department, and Stone Mills Fire & Rescue.
"The size of this fire and the exposure risk to nearby structures required a significant, coordinated response," said the Fire Chief (GNFD) Shawn Armstrong. "Thanks to the efforts of our crews and our mutual aid partners, we were able to protect adjacent buildings and ensure there were no injuries. Saving the adjacent barn was attributed to the teamwork and tenacity of our firefighters and mutual aid partners."
"The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal has been notified and may attend, as the estimated damage is expected to exceed $5 million," Huffman said.
Firefighters remained on scene overnight extinguishing the fire, conducting overhaul operations and monitoring for hotspots. The final crews cleared the scene shortly after 11:30 a.m. on June 9.
Image was provided by the Greater Napanee Fire Department