Ottawa police say they stopped a truck driver hauling an unsafe trailer on Lester Road on Thursday.
According to a statement from police, an officer stopped the truck around 6 a.m. after noticing that the trailer was missing wheels.
Police say the trailer should have had 12 wheels but only had two. Additionally, the trailer had no operational brakes and the fasteners on one of the wheels were unsecured.
The driver had driven from Embrun and was bringing the trailer to a scrap yard, police say.
A Ministry of Transportation Officer attended the scene to inspect the truck and trailer.
“It was determined that a wheel separation was a high probability of occurring had this vehicle continued its journey, which could have resulted in injury or death to other road users,” police said.
“The trailer was eventually towed from the scene, on a flat deck trailer, at the company’s expense.”
The company and the driver are now facing multiple charges, including operating an unsafe commercial motor vehicle, no name on a commercial vehicle and driving after 16 hours elapses in a work shift.
“All commercial vehicle drivers and operators must ensure that their vehicles and trailers are safe to be on the road. This includes ensuring that pre-trip inspections are properly conducted and that any defects are properly noted,” police said.
“In the case of this truck/trailer, it should not have been on the road at all.”
