Kitchener-Waterloo

Tow truck drivers face 21 charges after fight near Cambridge crash

Police say 21 charges were laid against tow truck drivers who arrived at a two-vehicle collision in Cambridge Thursday afternoon. The drivers hadn't been called by either driver involved in the collision and then a physical altercation broke out between two of the drivers.

Police remind public tow trucks not permitted to attend collision scenes unless they're called

An SUV vehicle with "Waterloo Regional Police" on the side
Police say several tow truck drivers face charges under the Highway Traffic Act and Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act after showing up at a collision without having been called by police or the drivers involved. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)

Police have laid 21 charges against several tow truck drivers who showed up at a Cambridge collision Thursday afternoon without being called, then two of them got in a fight.

The Waterloo Regional Police Service says officers responded to a two-vehicle collision on Franklin Boulevard near Mill Creek Road just after 2 p.m.

"Upon arrival, officers found the northbound lanes blocked by multiple tow trucks. Two tow truck drivers were engaged in a physical altercation at the scene," police said in a release.

Officers determined neither of the drivers involved in the collision had called a tow truck, but seven trucks from four different companies arrived at the scene anyway.

Police say the tow truck drivers were charged under the Highway Traffic Act and the Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act. As well, one truck was deemed to be unsafe and was taken out of service.

"Tow truck drivers and companies are not permitted to attend collision scenes or solicit business unless they have been requested by the involved parties or police," the police service said in a release.