On March 7, 2026, a fatal multi-vehicle crash on Highway 11 between Cochrane and Kapuskasing, Ontario, resulted in at least one death and a long road closure. The collision happened near Smooth Rock Falls and involved several vehicles, including tractor-trailers.
The Ontario Provincial Police James Bay Detachment closed the highway in both directions for several hours to investigate the scene. According to community updates on Cochrane Events, News, Etc, southbound lanes from Cochrane to Nahma Road were also blocked during the emergency response. The road has since been opened to drivers.
This tragedy marks the tenth highway death in Northern Ontario this winter season. The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities is now calling for the provincial government to take immediate action to improve road safety across the region.
Local leaders are asking the Ministry of Transportation to prioritize better winter maintenance and road upgrades. They say these improvements are necessary to protect residents who rely on these northern routes for travel and work.
