Metro Vancouver sees second highway overpass strike in just over a week
Drivers on a major B.C. highway ran into some delays this afternoon when the load on a commercial transport truck struck an overpass in Richmond.
According to the BC Highway Patrol, the driver of the vehicle has been detained by police after they left the scene of the strike, which occurred on Highway 99.
Police received a call about the incident just before 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21, with witnesses reporting that an excavator being towed on a flatdeck trailer crashed into the Blundell overpass going southbound.
Witnesses added that the driver of the commercial transport truck got out of the cab but drove away from the collision site before police arrived.
Koshiro K/Shutterstock
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“The driver was stopped by police about 20 minutes after the crash. Any time there is a collision that potentially causes damage, the driver must stop to provide information,” said Corporal Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol in a release.
“Police are working with CVSE (Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement) to determine appropriate charges, including potential licensing and permit issues.”
No injuries were reported in the crash, and while there have been some delays, BC Highway Patrol stated that damage to the overpass appears to be superficial.
Southbound traffic is also not blocked at present, which is also good news for rush hour commuters on Highway 99.
“The BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit will be following up to comprehensively examine the overpass and ensure that it is safe,” added police. “Motorists are encouraged to monitor www.DriveBC.ca to ensure that the area remains clear.”
This is the second highway overpass strike in just over a week in Metro Vancouver.
BCHP
On Wednesday, Jan. 14, a commercial truck towing another excavator on a flatdeck trailer hit the 192 overpass on Highway 1 in Surrey, near the Golden Ears Bridge exit.
This same overpass had a similar strike nearly four years ago, when another truck towing an excavator crashed into it, resulting in two people being hospitalized.