Car hauler’s rig turns into wrecking ball in Ottawa

Charges have been filed against a truck driver hauling new cars after he struck several traffic lights before hitting an overpass in Ottawa during evening rush hour yesterday.

Car Hauler Hits Numerous Traffic Lights, Railroad Overpass, Before Stopping

The Ottawa police department’s commercial vehicle inspector Paramjit Singh was called to the scene of the incident around 4:30 p.m. yesterday after a car hauler left a trail of destruction along West Hunt Club Road.

Police say that the truck driver had just dropped off a new vehicle on Antares Drive and that he got back on West Hunt Club Road to make another delivery. Unfortunately, police say that the truck driver failed to lower the rear deck of his rig, making it too tall to comply with height restrictions.

The truck driver reportedly travelled west along West Hunt Club Road and then north onto Greenbank, taking out several traffic lights along the way.

Police say that the truck driver kept going after hitting the traffic lights but eventually came to a stop after he crashed into a railroad overpass near Baseline Road. A Dodge Caravan on top of the truck was severely damaged by the crash.

No injuries were reported.

Truck Driver Faces Charges

The traffic lights that were struck were malfunctioning and caused traffic delays for other drivers.

Several lights are out on Hunt Club between Antares & Greenbank. Treat as all ways stops. Traffic very heavy in the area. Duration unknown.

— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) October 24, 2017

Singh stated, “I’ve never seen it or heard about this in my 15-year career either in Ottawa or anywhere in North America.”

The truck driver is facing charges for careless driving and for height restriction violations.