Police close file without identifying North Vancouver overpass hit-and-run driver

More than a month after a semi-truck driver smashed into an overpass in North Vancouver, police have yet to identify the suspect.

The collision happened on Sept. 19, causing traffic chaos on Highway 1. What’s more, the driver of the vehicle fled the scene.

In the wake of the crash, the province suspended the licence for Whistler Courier and Freightway’s entire fleet and issued a $3,500 fine.

North Vancouver RCMP+- did not make someone available for an interview but confirmed that it had been unable to identify the person at the wheel. Police further confirmed they had closed their investigation, “unless new information arises.”

2:02 Trucking company fined $3,500 for overpass crash

The Ministry of Transportation told Global News that the Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement branch had completed its own investigation into the crash.

The company, it said, was required to submit an action plan to address all identified issues of non-compliance with regulations, along with a plan to ensure future oversized loads are in complaisance.

“CVSE officers confirmed that the necessary changes that could be made while the carrier was suspended were completed,” the ministry said, adding that its suspension was lifted on Sept. 27.

“In addition to the investigation that followed the incident and the issuing of fines, we are following up with an audit of the carrier in early 2024 to ensure they are continuing to operate safely.”

When Global News attended Whistler Courier and Freightways’ Squamish office on Tuesday, staff on site said no one was available for an interview, and asked the crew to leave the property.

According to a September post on the company’s Facebook page two employees are facing disciplinary action over the bridge strike.

BC United Transportation Critic Trevor Halford said he couldn’t understand how no individual has been held responsible for the hit-and-run crash.

2:00 North Vancouver RCMP investigate truck overpass collision as hit and run

“We’ve got a company and a driver that fled the scene of an overpass strike, obviously the company did not cooperate with police,” he said.

“And now the minister has seen fit that they get their licence and they’re back on the road. That is completely unacceptable.”

Transportation Minister Rob Fleming couldn’t give specifics when asked about the company’s situation.

“It seems very odd that the driver couldn’t be identified if the company was cooperating,” he said.

“But the company was required, after losing the ability to operate for a significant period of time, to come up with a plan where they outlined to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement unit how they would operate 100 per cent safely 100 per cent of the time.”

The update comes as Metro Vancouver bore witness to yet another truck collision with an overpass, this time in Langley.

Fortunately in the most recent case, there was minimal damage to the overpass.