A routine patrol turned into an emergency response when an OPP officer witnessed a trailer lose two wheels and catch fire along Highway 11.
A commercial driver and company are now facing several charges.
On Monday, May 12 at 5:30 p.m., an OPP officer was conducting patrols on Highway 11 in Mattice-Val Côté when they saw a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) lose two wheels, which flew across the highway.
"The officer conducted a traffic stop and quickly extinguished a small fire that had started," says Constable Kyler Brouwer in a news release. "Upon inspection, it was determined that the front axle hub on the trailer's passenger side had suffered a complete failure, resulting in the fire and wheel separation."
A 27-year-old driver from Brampton is charged with:
- The driver of a commercial motor vehicle with a major defect in a drawn vehicle
- Fail to accurately complete daily inspection report
- Wheel separation - commercial motor vehicle
- Drive commercial motor vehicle - part detached
- No name on a commercial motor vehicle
Additionally, the vehicle owner, an incorporated business based in Mississauga, is charged with:
- Wheel separation - commercial motor vehicle
- Drive commercial motor vehicle - part detached
- Fail to ensure performance standards are met
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice Provincial Offences Court on July 15 in Hearst.
The OPP reminds all commercial vehicle operators to conduct thorough daily inspections and promptly address any safety defects. Incidents involving wheel detachment or vehicle defects pose serious risks to all road users. Members of the public are encouraged to report unsafe vehicles or hazardous driving behaviour to the OPP by calling 1-888-310-1122 or in emergencies 9-1-1.