No charges after North Vancouver overpass crash where driver fled scene, RCMP say
Trucking company fined, driver has not been found, transportation minister says
Police say they have closed their investigation into a commercial truck that crashed into an overpass in North Vancouver last month, but according to B.C.'s transportation minister, investigators have not been able to find the driver.
According to Rob Fleming, investigators know the identity of the driver who fled the scene after a container truck belonging to Whistler Courier and Freightways collided with an overpass on Highway 1 at Dollarton Highway on Sept. 19,
"I don't know why this individual hasn't been apprehended, except that they may be literally running away from justice," Fleming said.
North Vancouver RCMP told CBC in an email they could not share much information due to privacy concerns.
WATCH | Driver of truck has yet to be found, transportation minister says
Police say the owner of the company received a ticket for failing to remain at the scene of an accident, and confirmed that no charges have been forwarded.
Fleming said Whistler Courier and Freightways has been cooperative throughout the investigation.
The province suspended the company's licences for its fleet of 21 vehicles for eight days, and fined the company $3,500.
Trevor Halford, transportation critic for the Opposition B.C. United, says he wants tougher penalties for drivers, and worries that overpass strikes have become "an epidemic."
For two years, the province has tracked these types of accidents to figure out why vehicles, which have stringent licensing tied to their operation and dimensions, continue to plow into overpasses, the height of which are easily determined.
There were 13 bridge strikes in 2022, and and there have been 15 so far this year.
"We are so lucky that we have not seen a fatality because of this," Halford said. "The next time we might not be so lucky."
Fleming promised that stiffer penalties for drivers found liable for incidents like overpass strikes are coming.
"I'm very concerned," he said.
The minister said the province is in conversation with industry, and has been working to improve driver training.
"None of this should be happening," he said.
With files from Renée Lukacs and Chad Pawson