Missing Peterborough man found driving wrong way on Hwy. 400

PARRY SOUND, ONT. — A missing 76-yearold Peterborough man was found on Sunday after officers responded to reports of someone driving the wrong way on a major highway in Parry Sound, Ont.

West Parry Sound OPP said they received 29 calls reporting the vehicle driving north in the southbound lanes of Highway 400, about 230 kilometres northwest of Peterborough.

Officers stopped southbound traffic and positioned their cruiser with lights flashing, and used a tire deflation device on an open lane, police said.

The wrong-way vehicle didn’t stop for the cruiser, but the spikes on the roadway safely slowed the vehicle down and it came to a stop, police said.

The driver turned out to be a Peterborough man who had been reported missing by his family, police said.

He drove a full 40 kilometres in the wrong lanes of the highway before being stopped, police said.

He was taken to hospital for medical reasons, police said, and no charges were laid against him.

Police did not name the man.

As a result of the incident, the OPP is reminding motorists to be mindful of signage on all highways and roadways to ensure safe and proper usage.