Alberta driver sentenced in devastating B.C. crash that sent tractor-trailer flying
The province-wide Slow Down, Move Over campaign continues until the end of April, and the BC Highway Patrol (BCHP) has issued a reminder of why the driving law is so important.
BCHP released dashcam video to the public on Monday, April 20, showing the devastating consequences of when drivers do not “Slow Down and Move Over” when they are near flashing amber, or blue and red lights.
An Alberta man behind the wheel of the tractor-trailer was recently sentenced for dangerous driving in relation to the incident.
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“On Dec. 8, 2023, a BC Highway Patrol officer was working with a tow truck operator to impound a Mercedes for excessive speeding on Highway #1, just west of Field, in Yoho National Park,” said BCHP in a release.
“The tow truck had its flashing amber lights activated to warn drivers to Slow Down and Move Over.”
Dashcam footage from the tractor-trailer, the tow truck, and the police cruiser shows 38-year-old Dalvir Singh Jhattu drive his massive vehicle straight up the back of the tow truck, launching it into the air.
According to police, the tow truck, tractor-trailer, and Mercedes were all destroyed in the incident.
“Luckily, the tow truck operator, the police officer, and the Mercedes driver were safely off to the side of the road, or they would certainly have been killed,” said Corporal Michael McLaughlin with BCHP.
“The tractor-trailer driver could easily have died as his truck rolled over and he became trapped.”
B.C. Highway Patrol
Jhattu was found guilty of dangerous driving as a result of the crash and was sentenced on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
He received 90 days of house arrest, a six-month conditional sentence order, a 12-month Canada-wide driving ban, and must follow a set of conditions, including no possession or consumption of alcohol, drugs, or intoxicating substances.
“Normal speed limits exist for ideal conditions,” says Corporal McLaughlin. “When road workers or emergency responders are at the side of the road, you are legally required to slow down even more.”
The law states that motorists in British Columbia are required to slow down and move over for any vehicles that are stopped alongside the road that have either flashing red, blue, or yellow lights.
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“This includes maintenance workers, utility workers, police, fire, ambulance, tow trucks, Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement personnel, land surveyors, animal control workers, garbage collectors and other roadside workers,” the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit states.
The B.C. driving law states that motorists must reduce speeds to 70 km/h when in an 80 km/h or over zone, or 40 km/h when in an under 80 km/h zone.
BCHP added the penalty for disobeying is $173.
With files from Amir Ali