Driver charged after 10,000 lbs metal part falls off vehicle

A metal part, weighing 10,000 lbs, fell of a commercial vehicle and rolled into a parked car on Trillium Drive in Kitchener on June 23, 2022. (Submitted: WRPS)

A commercial vehicle driver, and his employer, are facing charges after a heavy metal part fell off and rolled across a Kitchener road.

It happened Thursday at around 9:25 a.m. on Trillium Drive near Beasley Drive.

Waterloo regional police said the vehicle's load was not secured properly, became dislodged and fell off. It rolled across the opposite lane of traffic before colliding with a parked vehicle about 20 metres away.

Police said the part weighed more than 10,000 pounds.

After an inspection was done on the vehicle, they found several issues. Both brakes on one of the axles wereout of adjustment, the driver failed to complete a proper trip inspection, and separate loads were not properly secured.

The driver, a 32-year-old man from Campbellville, was charged with:

• Push rod stroke exceeds prescribed limit on a commercial motor vehicle
• Driving a commercial motor vehicle with a major defect in it or drawn vehicle
• Insecure load on a commercial motor vehicle

Police said driver's employer, only identified as a Guelph company, has also been charged with:

• Push rod stroke exceeds prescribed limit on a commercial motor vehicle
• Drive commercial motor vehicle with a major defect in it or in drawn vehicle
• Insecure load on a commercial motor vehicle
• Permit operation of vehicle with load not secured as prescribed
• Fail to ensure performance standards are met

No injuries were reported to police.