The former Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) sergeant who fired the shot that killed a native protester at Ipperwash Provincial Park in 1995 has died in a car crash in eastern Ontario.

Police say Ken Deane's SUV was struck from behind by a tractor-trailer 1:15 p.m. Saturday on Highway 401, near Prescott, Ont. The 45-year-old Sudbury resident was pronounced dead at the scene.

Deane was the OPP sniper who killed protester Dudley George on Sept. 6, 1995.

He was convicted of criminal negligence causing death and served a two-year community sentence.

A judicial inquiry is now looking into the handling of the park's occupation.

Ipperwash inquiry

Deane was scheduled to testify at the inquiry within two weeks of his death Saturday.

Spokesperson Susan Wella says Deane's death is unfortunate, but the inquiry will be able to continue.

"The inquiry does have the benefit of Mr. Deane's prior evidence which he gave at his own criminal trial," she said.

"Therefore we should be able to proceed with our mandate with the benefit of that and several other officers who are also scheduled to testify."

George's brother Sam told CTV News that Deane's death is an obvious tragedy and he feels for the grieving family.

However, he says legal council for the George family was looking forward to cross-examining Deane and it is unfortunate for the inquiry that it will not happen.

George was fatally shot Sept. 6, 1995, when OPP officers clad in riot gear advanced on a group of natives who had seized control of Ipperwash Provincial Park.

The group was convinced it was the site of an ancient aboriginal burial ground. Their claims were verified the following week.

Snowy highway

Snowy conditions that reduced visibility to nil are being blamed for the fatal highway accident.

Officers from the Grenville OPP detachment had to close the highway in both directions while emergency crews cleared several vehicles involved in collisions.

A passenger in the SUV with Deane was extricated by Edwardsburg and Prescott Fire Department and transported to hospital.

That person is reported to be in stable condition.

With files from CTV News and The Canadian Press