Ontario man killed in collision with unmarked OPP vehicle identified
Tributes have started pouring in for a Midland, Ont. man who died after reportedly being struck by an unmarked provincial police vehicle over the weekend.
Noah Landriault is being remembered as kindhearted with a zest for life.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) says the 25-year-old man was on foot when a police vehicle hit him around 6 a.m. Sunday on Muskoka Road 169 in Bala.
The agency says he was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Landriault was a talented lacrosse player who played with several Simcoe County organizations.
"He was just so compassionate, so thoughtful for friends and family, his siblings and his parents," said his former lacrosse coach Brian Blanks.
Rob Blasdell later scouted Landriault for the Orillia Junior B Kings, who, like many, are trying to cope with news of his death.
"When you're this close to somebody, it's just a shock. I mean, it's something you just can't believe happened," Blasdell said. "It's just an incredibly sad day for this entire area. Noah touched a lot of kids and a lot of people."
In a social media post, the Orillia Junior B Kings also posted about his death: "As a player and coach, Noah always brought energy and enthusiasm to the rink. His positive attitude and love for the game were contagious."
The Midland Titans Lacrosse organization posted on social media that Landriault was a "talented lacrosse player with a kind heart."
"Noah's smile lit up every room, and his positive attitude will forever leave a lasting impact on our club," noted the West Durham Ironheads Junior B Lacrosse organization.
At the time of this article, a GoFundMe campaign launched in Landriault's name had surpassed $41,000, with more than 400 donations, for the family.
The campaign, organized by Monica Smith, says that Landriault worked part-time as a bartender at The Kee to Bala and had a full-time job at the Muskoka Sauna Company.
"He loved sports (particularly lacrosse), his family, and hanging out with his friends," it reads in part. "Noah was just starting to find his place in this world as a young adult when this happened."
Several SIU investigators assigned to the case are probing what happened that morning.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates any police conduct that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE UPDATES Toronto's first 'Eras Tour' show kicks off at Rogers Centre
Taylor Swift takes the stage at the Rogers Centre as 'The Eras Tour' has arrived.
Purolator workers won't handle Canada Post packages if strike occurs, union says
Teamsters Canada says if Canada Post workers go on strike or are locked out, its members at Purolator won't handle any packages postmarked or identified as originating from the carrier.
Trump chooses anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump says he will nominate anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, putting him in charge of a massive agency that oversees everything from drug, vaccine and food safety to medical research and the social safety net programs Medicare and Medicaid.
Canada urged to cut government-funded research collaborations with China: report
A newly released report is urging Canada to immediately end all government-funded research collaborations with China in a variety of different areas.
Centre Block renovation facing timeline and budget 'pressures'
The multi-billion-dollar renovation of parliament’s Centre Block building continues to be on time and on budget, but construction crews are facing 'pressures' when it comes to the deadline and total costs, according to the department in charge of the project.
Winnipeg driver rescues passengers from burning van
A Winnipeg driver was in the right place at the right time when a paratransit van caught fire Thursday morning.
B.C.'s chief vet tells clinics to set up bird flu protocols amid human exposure risk
British Columbia's chief veterinarian has told clinics that treat wild birds that they must establish protocols to prevent the spread of avian flu, warning of the risk of human exposure to the illness.
Measles cases in New Brunswick continue to climb
The number of measles cases in New Brunswick continue to climb. Officials with New Brunswick’s Department of Health said as of Thursday, the number of confirmed cases since October has reached 43.
Police release bodycam video of officer-involved incident at Hindu temple protest in Brampton, Ont.
Police say an officer who forcefully removed a 'weapon' from a protester outside of a Hindu temple in Brampton was acting 'within the lawful execution of his duties' after bystander video of the incident circulated widely online.