By Rosalind Russell – Charges have been laid against a transport driver and a company after a fatal collision with a horse and buggy last December (on Dec. 4, 2023).
East Algoma OPP Constable Bev Gauthier says a tractor trailer struck a horse and buggy that were travelling eastbound on Highway 17 in the Municipality of Huron Shores.
She says the 29-year-old buggy operator succumbed to the extensive injuries after being transported to hospital.
Gauthier says a 56-year-old man from Orillia is facing 32 charges related to the crash, including careless driving, driving while suspended, and others related to vehicle defects and logs.
The company is facing 36 charges including 15 counts of permitting a person to drive commercial motor vehicle not in accordance with the regulations, 16 of failing to monitor drivers, and others.
She adds the accused are to appear in Sault Ste. Marie court August 4th to answer to the charges.
Charge details …
The 56 years-of-age from Orillia was charged with:
Driving while under suspension
Careless driving
Fail to maintain daily log (fifteen counts)
Fail to accurately complete daily inspection report
Drive commercial motor vehicle with a major defect in it or drawn vehicle
Improperly drive commercial motor vehicle with a minor defect in it or in drawn vehicle
Overweight dual axle…kg. Class A Highway
Overweight four axle group…kg. Class A Highway – liftable axle deployed improperly
Operate unsafe vehicle -commercial motor vehicle
Operate commercial motor vehicle with load not secured as prescribed
Improper muffler-motor vehicle
No clear view to front
Drive after 16 hours since break without 8 hours off
Enter inaccurate information in record (two counts)
Drive after 14 hours on duty without 8 hours off
Push rod stroke exceeds prescribed limit – commercial motor vehicle
Wheel brake operating improperly – commercial motor vehicle
The company is charged with:
Permit person to drive commercial motor vehicle not in accordance with the regulations (fifteen counts)
Fail to monitor driver’s compliance (sixteen counts)
Request, require or allow non-compliance (four counts)
Permit operation of commercial motor vehicle with load not secured as prescribed