{"id":688263,"date":"2026-05-23T09:30:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-23T09:30:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/688263\/"},"modified":"2026-05-23T09:30:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-23T09:30:12","slug":"impaired-charges-laid-in-head-on-opp-cruiser-crash-that-killed-boy-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/688263\/","title":{"rendered":"Impaired charges laid in head-on OPP cruiser crash that killed boy"},"content":{"rendered":"

The father of a 10-year-old boy is facing charges of impaired operation causing bodily harm and death, after a pick-up truck crashed head-on with a provincial police cruiser near Perth.<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n

Matthew Bigras, 40, of Ottawa, is also charged with dangerous operation causing bodily harm and causing death. <\/p>\n

His son, Michael, was in the truck along with another adult passenger when it collided with a marked Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) cruiser on Highway 7 in December 2025. The incident happened between Drummond School Road and Drummond Concession 7, just east of Perth.<\/p>\n

First responders on the scene attempted to revive the young boy before he was transported to a trauma centre by helicopter. <\/p>\n

Michael died on impact after he was ejected from the vehicle through the windshield<\/a>, his mother told CityNews previously. He suffered life-threatening injuries that he could not recover from, she said, and was officially declared brain dead days before his 11th birthday.<\/p>\n

Both, Bigras and the other passenger were taken to hospital with serious injuries. The OPP officer was sent to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.<\/p>\n

According to a fundraiser set up to support the family and the funeral costs, which raised over $80,000, it notes that Bigras was driving home from their trailer when the vehicle hit a patch of black ice, sending the truck into oncoming traffic. <\/a><\/p>\n

The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Perth on Aug. 24. <\/p>\n

\"\"Matthew Bigras pictured with his son Michael. (GoFundMe)<\/p>\n

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