A haunted Halloween crash scene display in Barrhaven was almost too realistic for some residents, drawing the attention of Ottawa Police.

Andrew Theodore has been crafting spooky scenes since he moved into the area a decade ago. Each year is different, with more actors and bigger displays. This year's scene even came with a message: don't text and drive.

"All of the teenagers told me what a great message. So they really appreciated the message, which was nice," Theodore said.

An old, crushed car was the centerpiece of Theodore's masterpiece, alongside actors portraying crash victims.

"It was very imaginative on Andrew's part," said Rod Richard, a neighbor and actor in the Halloween display. "It was a good message. No kids were crying and the parents had a lot of smiles."

But a complaint from a passerby drew Ottawa Police to Theodore's house. Theodore said police initially thought the crash was real, but quickly realized it was fabricated for Halloween.

Police wouldn't talk about the call Sunday, but Theodore said police raised numerous concerns about the display. According to Theodore, officers were worried operators would receive too many calls from concerned citizens, that kids might injure themselves on the old, rusty car and that part of the vehicle was on public property.

"The fact that they went through three or four different excuses before they found one I couldn't argue makes me think they were trying to find a way to move [the car]," Theodore said.

The car's trunk was hanging over the road by about three feet and Theodore said he was given two options: move the car or it will be towed. The thought of having the display ruined before trick or treaters arrived was too hard to think about, so Theodore called some friends for help.

When the car was moved off public property and onto Theodore’s lawn, fright night was back on. 

Despite what Theodore calls a frustrating day, he said plans for next year are already in place.

“Next year nothing will be on public property. I’ve learned my lesson,” he said.

The vehicle's windows were removed and the fluids were drained to ensure the safety of those around it.