The driver of a tow truck that smashed into a car, leaving it a crumpled wreck after it then hit a pickup truck hauling salt on Highway 400 Monday morning, has been charged with careless driving.
The crash in the southbound lanes near Highway 7 was captured in video from the truck — and video posted to social media from the inside of the truck shows the driver on his cellphone.
“The driver has been charged with careless driving but there may be additional charges,” Schmidt told the Sun Thursday, adding no name, age or hometown of the driver has been released.
The driver of the car escaped serious injury, though was transported via air lift to hospital.
“Unbelievable,” said Schmidt of her status considering the damage to her vehicle. “She’ll have a full recovery. Just banged up a little bit but not serious injuries.”
The dramatic video from the tow truck’s dash cam shows the truck plowing into the car, while the second video allegedly shows the driver using the keyboard on his phone leading up to the impact. The accounts posting the videos did not say how they received them.
“Pay attention,” cautioned Schmidt to drivers. “There’s no reason for this to happen. If you’re not looking at the road, not paying attention to what’s happening, you’re in charge of the vehicle, you need to stay in control and understand how quickly conditions can change.”
Reaction on X to the driver’s actions in the video was understandably critical.
“Instant loss of job, permanent loss of licences and as many criminal charges as possible! Absolutely senseless,” posted one user.
Added another user: “I knew this would be the reason. Send him to jail.”
Meanwhile, OPP East Region stopped a ride share driver on Hwy. 417 after they were observed watching YouTube with a fare on board.
“The fare likely won’t cover the $615 ticket. It will also cost the driver three demerit points and a three-day driving suspension upon conviction,” wrote @OPP_ER in the Jan. 21 post on its X account.
