Englehart, Ontario (Rajeev Sharma) — A northern Ontario community is in mourning following the tragic death of a two-year-old child in a motor vehicle incident on Sunday evening. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) confirmed that the accident occurred on a rural property in Robillard Township, a small community located just south of Kirkland Lake near Englehart.
According to a news release issued by the OPP on Monday, March 9, 2026, the preliminary investigation suggests the tragedy unfolded within a residential driveway. Police stated that the incident took place while a passenger vehicle was being moved a short distance on the property. Crucially, investigators noted that the driver was under the impression the child was still inside the vehicle when the movement began, unaware that the toddler had exited.
The young victim sustained critical injuries during the encounter and was rushed to a nearby hospital by emergency responders. Despite the efforts of medical staff, the child was later pronounced deceased. The identity of the family and the child has not been released as the community begins to process the devastating loss.
The investigation is currently being spearheaded by traffic and forensic investigators from the OPP, operating under the direction of the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario. While the police have shared initial details regarding the driver’s lack of awareness, they emphasized that the probe remains active and ongoing to determine the exact sequence of events. Local authorities have not indicated whether any charges are being considered at this stage of the inquiry.
