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National Post - Apr 28, 2006 - By Natalie Alcoba McCallion escapes major injury after car hits light pole Driving home from police service awards event Less than a day after her car crashed into a pole, Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion appeared to not miss a step by keeping up with her busy schedule. Peel Regional Police say it will be a few days before they determine how a Buick, with the 85-year-old Mayor at the wheel, crashed into a light standard on Wednesday night. Ms. McCallion was driving the 2004 vehicle on the way home from the Peel Police Services Board Awards when she ran into a light pole on the northwest corner of McLaughlin and Britannia roads. The accident, which occurred at approximately 9:10 p.m., caused the Buick's airbags to deploy, police said. The Mayor was reportedly able to get out of the vehicle on her own. Ms. McCallion was examined by paramedics, but it was not clear what injuries she sustained, if any. "She certainly was not taken to hospital," said Inspector Paul Thorne with Peel Regional Police Traffic Services. "I assume she would be somewhat startled, as any of us would be." Calls to the Mayor's office were not returned. Officers from both Traffic Services and 12 Division have been assigned to the investigation, which will determine whether charges are warranted. "The [Peel Police] Chief realizes the Mayor holds a high position within the Region of Peel," Insp. Thorne said. "We want to make sure that the investigation is done properly." Insp. Thorne said he was not aware of a report by the CBC that said the Mayor had been reading papers on her lap when she hit the pole. "Our officers haven't interviewed the Mayor yet," he said. Insp. Thorne expects the investigation to conclude early next week. No one else was in the vehicle at the time of the accident. It is not clear whether anyone witnessed the accident. Damage to the pole was minimal. In 2003, the resilient Mayor was knocked to the ground by a pickup truck at a busy intersection in Mississauga. Ms. McCallion suffered a bruised elbow, sprained ankle and sore hip but forged on, conducting business from her hospital bed and then from home. ******** Picture of Hazel in front City hall Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion, seen in a file photo, did not require hospital treatment after her Buick hit a light pole, deploying the air bag, on Wednesday. Photograph by : Peter Redman, National Post.
[COMMENTS BY DON B. - ]
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