OPP charge driver alleged to have damaged traffic light in Midland

A 21-year-old Tiny Township driver faces six charges in connection with a collision that took out a Yonge Street traffic light on Oct. 24.

Southern Georgian Bay OPP were called to the intersection at Fourth and Yonge Streets around 2:15 p.m., after a trailer being pulled by a pickup truck flipped over and took out a traffic light. 

The tandem-axle trailer, loaded with machinery, rolled over and struck the traffic light post, knocking it to the ground. A small amount of diesel fuel was spilled during the incident and the road was blocked off for several hours.

On Oct. 30, police announced that the driver of the pickup truck would face six charges. These charges include: careless driving, driving a commercial vehicle with an improper licence, driving a vehicle with a defective breaking system, pulling a trailer with no permit, failing to operate a commercial vehicle within the permitted weight, and failure to surrender an insurance card.

According to Andy Campbell, executive director of environment and infrastructure for the Town of Midland, the damaged traffic light is going to cost about $8,000 to repair. The town will bear the cost of fixing the light, but could be reimbursed by its insurance company.