Northumberland OPP Constable Chad Laperle has investigated many serious collisions over his career, but he’s never actually witnessed one – until today.
Laperle was travelling in the westbound lanes of Highway 401 approximately one kilometre west of Grafton at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10, 2019
when he noticed a transport truck ahead of him that was “weaving a little bit” in the lane.
As Laperle was in the left lane and beside the cab of the transport he could see the driver was leaning forward and to the right.
“At that point the tractor trailer started to drift off the road and went completely off the road, into the ditch and up the embankment. The driver corrected and came back, went behind the guard rail, then drove over the guard rail for approximately 30 metres before coming to a stop.”
Laperle said it was “shocking” to witness the collision.
Traffic was average for a weekday and no other vehicles were involved, “but had he rolled onto the side he may have come back into the lanes.”
When the transport went up the 45 degree embankment and side-swiped a tree, Laperle said he was “quite surprised” that the truck didn’t roll.”
“I anticipated and started to brake to give him some space, but he was actually able to keep it up on its wheels.”
A driver from Quebec is charged with careless driving.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
