Tractor trailer driven by Dalvir Singh Jhattu, plows into back of parked tow truck on Highway 1 in B.C.
An Alberta man has been sentenced for dangerous driving after plowing his tractor-trailer into a tow truck on a dark stretch of Highway 1 near Field, B.C. — despite the tow truck’s amber warning lights flashing in plain view.
The collision was caught on dashcam video, and BC Highway Patrol have released the footage from the tractor-trailer, tow truck and police cruiser.
A BC Highway Patrol officer and a tow truck operator had been working to impound a Mercedes for excessive speeding in Yoho National Park when the crash occurred just after 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 8, 2023.
All three people on scene had moved safely to the side of the road moments before impact.
The trucker, Dalvir Singh Jhattu, 38, was found guilty of a criminal count of dangerous driving and sentenced on April 8 to a six-month conditional sentence including 90 days of house arrest, a 12-month Canada-wide driving ban, and conditions prohibiting the possession or consumption of alcohol, drugs or intoxicating substances.
“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,” says Cpl. Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. “The tractor-trailer driver could easily have died as his truck rolled over and he became trapped.”
RCMP say the video evidence clearly shows how a multiple fatality incident was narrowly avoided. The crash completely destroyed the tractor trailer, tow truck and Mercedes.
“Normal speed limits exist for ideal conditions,” says Cpl. McLaughlin. “When road workers or emergency responders are at the side of the road, you are legally required to slow down even more.”
British Columbia’s Slow Down Move Over law means drivers must slow to under 70 km/h when the speed limit exceeds 80 km/h and move to the farthest safe lane away from flashing amber or red and blue lights.
