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NLIS 2 January 22, 2004 (Government Services and Lands) Charges laid in tractor-trailer accident The Clarenville RCMP Traffic Services Unit and the Department of Government Services and Lands announced today that a number of charges have been laid in connection with a tractor-trailer that was involved in a fatal crash near Lethbridge on July 23, 2003, on Route 230. An inspection of the tractor-trailer after the crash documented numerous defects with the tractor-trailer braking systems. The tractor was inspected on July 3, 2003, and the trailer was inspected on May 26, 2003, but both failed inspection following the crash. A 67-year-old woman was killed in the two-vehicle accident. A joint investigation by the RCMP and the Motor Registration Division Highway Enforcement Officers has resulted in charges against the garage that issued the inspection certificate for the tractor-trailer, the owner of the tractor-trailer, and the mechanic who signed the safety inspection certificates. Following the accident, a Highway Enforcement Officer also carried out inspections on the remaining six commercial vehicles in the company�s fleet. Four have been ordered out of service until repairs are done and a follow-up inspection carried out. The garage is charged under the Official Inspection Station Regulations for failing to have at least one authorized mechanic in full-time employment while issuing inspection certificates; failing to notify the Registrar of Motor Vehicles of a change in the employment of an authorized inspection mechanic while issuing inspections; and eight charges of issuing inspection certificates without properly inspecting vehicles. The owner of the tractor-trailer, who also operates the garage, is facing seven charges under the Carrier Safety Regulations for failing to keep proper business records regarding the driver�s history, daily log books, hours of service, and daily trip inspection reports. A mechanic is also facing two charges of failing to ensure a vehicle meets the standards prescribed by the Act before issuing an inspection certificate. The court date for these charges is February 11 in Bonavista. Media contact: RCMP Cpl. Pete Cornick, Holyrood Traffic Services (709) 229-4216 2004 01 22 10:30 a.m. |
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