There were two separate accidents on Friday afternoon that stopped traffic heading east to Sudbury.
An Espanola man died as a result of his injuries in a car accident.
Edwin Duhaime of Espanola was killed in the crash involving a five-ton truck at the west entrance of the four-lane near Whitefish.
His passenger was brought to hospital where she is being treated for her injuries.
The driver of the truck was not injured.
Sudbury OPP say the accident occurred shortly before 4:00pm when Mr. Duhaime attempted to enter Highway 17 from Municipal Road 55.
The second accident, which occurred at almost the same time further down Municipal Road 55 involved a road worker being hit and having to be airlifted to hospital.
His injuries are unknown at this time.
The highway did not reopen until almost midnight while the police completed their investigation