A 20-year-old Pembroke man is dead after a grisly crash on Highway 17 destroyed his car Thursday morning.

Police say the collision happened when Nicholas Carter-Leedham tried to pass a highway salt truck west of Greenwood Road. Instead, his 1992 Nissan slammed into an oncoming tractor trailer shortly after 7 a.m. Thursday.

Police say Carter-Leedham died at the scene.

The truck driver, 41-year-old Bernard Bruyere of Grand-Remous, Que., was treated for shock.

The collision closed Highway 17 between Whitewater Road and Greenwood Road for most of the day.

Police are continuing their investigation.