Sarnia Police Service officials allege: A transport truck driver is facing multiple charges following a three-vehicle collision Sunday afternoon at the intersection of Exmouth Street and Murphy Road.
Police say the crash happened around 1:55 p.m. on Oct. 5 when a transport truck rear-ended a passenger vehicle, causing a chain-reaction collision involving a second car. All vehicles were moved to the side of the road before officers arrived.
Lambton EMS and Sarnia Fire Services attended the scene and determined that several occupants sustained minor injuries, though no one required hospital treatment.
According to police, a gold transport truck struck the back of a black Ford pickup truck, which then hit a black minivan. The investigation determined that the minivan had slowed for traffic when it was rear-ended by the pickup, which was then hit by the transport truck.
Officers said the transport driver claimed he had been re-routed off Highway 402 due to a collision, which was later found to be untrue. The driver had instead chosen to leave the highway and detour through the city to avoid delays.
As a result, the driver was charged with careless driving under the Highway Traffic Act, disobeying a heavy truck restriction under a City of Sarnia bylaw, and disobeying a sign under the Highway Traffic Act.
Sarnia police reminded commercial motor vehicle operators that there is zero tolerance for truck drivers who attempt to bypass Highway 402 congestion by cutting through city streets. They also urged those lawfully operating in Sarnia to stay on designated truck routes and drive with due care and attention.
Police did not release the name of the driver, as the charges were laid under the Provincial Offences Act.
