Police say they believe they鈥檝e identified the trailer involved 鈥� but not the driver 鈥� in the latest hit to B.C.鈥檚 highway infrastructure.
B.C. Transportation Ministry confirmed to Black Press Media Thursday (Jan. 11) that a commercial vehicle hit the George Massey Tunnel the night before. It appears there is no significant damage from the hit, but the ministry鈥檚 Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement branch is working to identify the company and driver involved.
A thorough investigation will be done, according to the Transportation Ministry.
鈥淚t鈥檚 frustrating to see another incident like this involving a commercial vehicle. There is no excuse for this. It has never been easier to follow a route to guide the load to travel safely through our highway system and avoid the potential for impact with infrastructure,鈥� reads the emailed statement.
Richmond RCMP said a caller said she witnessed a truck strike the roof of the Massey Tunnel around 8:10 p.m., as she was driving directly behind the truck when it hit. She said the truck initially came to a stop in the tunnel but continued driving through.
鈥淚t has been alleged that after the truck exited the tunnel it pulled over and the driver possibly spoke with an employee from a road maintenance contractor, however, this person has yet to be identified,鈥� RCMP said.
Police were provided with dash-camera footage, and investigators believe they have identified the trailer involved. Officers are still working to identify the driver.
In December, the province brought in tougher measures for trucking companies and their drivers after at least 30 infrastructure hits in two years. Transportation Minister Rob Fleming said on Dec. 14 that his ministry would be implementing escalating penalties for companies and drivers with repeat offences, with longer suspensions and possible loss of their operating certificate.
Two weeks after that a driver operating a Chohan Freight Forwarders Ltd. truck hit an overpass on Highway 99 in Delta 鈥� the company鈥檚 sixth hit in two year.
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Within hours, B.C. suspended the company鈥檚 safety certificate. It was the first suspension since the introduction of stricter measures.
The cause remains under investigation, along with the suspension.
The ministry added on Jan. 11 that it has brought in the 鈥渘ew, tough enforcement measures to deter these collisions, including the highest fines in Canada and lengthy suspensions of entire fleets.鈥�
鈥淭he vast majority of truckers operate safe and responsibly, but clearly the message is not yet getting through to a select few drivers and companies. We will continue to look at new measures, including legislative changes to allow even higher fines, to stop this from happening.鈥�
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