HALIFAX – Police say one person is dead after a collision between a tractor-trailer and van on Barrington Street in Halifax on Monday morning.
The commercial van, belonging to a local technology company, was crushed by a shipping container that may have become detached from the truck.
“We do know the trailer became separated,” said Const. Pierre Bourdages of the Halifax Regional Police. “We still don’t know how or why it became separated.”
Police say the preliminary investigation revealed the truck was travelling southbound when its trailer detached and collided with the van, which was heading northbound.
The lone male occupant of the van was pronounced dead at the scene.
Bourdages said police are focusing on the fifth wheel, where the cab and trailer of the truck connect.
George Kelly, who’s been driving big trucks for 30 years, said winter can create problems when connecting the rig.
“Underneath the chassis, there’s a king pin there. The fifth wheel’s got a set of jaws inside,” he said. “If you don’t hit it hard, it won’t lock. You can still move the trailer.”
Kelly said if it’s not locked properly, something like a pothole could cause it to release.
He also said the accident happened in an area that is challenging to navigate for tractor-trailers.
Bourdages said anything is possible.
“The investigation will lead us to determine exactly what happened,” he said.
The Nova Scotia government says because the man was driving a company vehicle, the Labour Department is helping with the investigation.
Traffic was blocked in both directions on Barrington Street, which caused major delays for morning commuters.
Police re-opened the road just before 3 p.m. Friday afternoon.
*with files from Global News’ Ray Bradshaw
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