A Brampton truck driver faces multiple charges after fleeing the scene when a hydro pole and power lines in Caledon were knocked down, Ontario Provincial Police say.<\/p>\n
The incident happened Tuesday (May 19) around 1 a.m. on Damascus Drive, a dead-end street in Caledon, where police say the commercial truck \u201cshould have never been.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to OPP, officers with the Caledon Community Mobilization Unit first spotted the truck in the area and later learned the driver had relied on GPS directions before entering the roadway.<\/p>\n
Police say the truck struck overhead hydro lines and pulled down a utility pole, causing significant damage and temporarily cutting power to the area while crews carried out repairs.<\/p>\n
Police said several residents witnessed the aftermath and saw the driver get out of the truck, disconnect the trailer and attempt to move the downed wires using both his hands and a plastic rake before leaving the scene.<\/p>\n
Residents reportedly warned the driver not to touch the live wires and urged him to remain at the scene.<\/p>\n
Hydro crews later told investigators the driver narrowly avoided serious injury or death because the way the pole and electrical equipment collapsed appears to have triggered a breaker, shutting off power to the line.<\/p>\n
Police later located and arrested a driver a short distance away. In a social media post, OPP said officers \u201cquickly unplugged that plan.\u201d<\/p>\n
Investigators also conducted a safety inspection on the commercial vehicle and allegedly discovered numerous major defects. Police said the truck was subsequently taken out of service.<\/p>\n
A 22-year-old man from Brampton has been charged with careless driving, operating an unsafe commercial vehicle, failing to remain at the scene and failing to report damage to property. His name has not been released.<\/p>\n
Police say the trucking company involved is also facing charges, including permitting an unsafe commercial vehicle to operate and failing to ensure required inspections and safety standards were met.<\/p>\n
The investigation remains ongoing.<\/p>\n
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