Despite the RCMP saying it had “no leads” on the identity of the truck driver who hit a North Vancouver overpass in September, the province says investigators do know who the person is.
The RCMP told CityNews this week that, for its part, the investigation has concluded following the hit and run.
“Currently we have no leads on the identity of the driver. Should any info arise identifying the driver, we will open our investigation and follow up,” said Const. Mansoor Sahak.
“Our message to the public remains the same. If anyone has any info on the identity of the driver, please call the North Vancouver RCMP.”
However, Transportation Minister Rob Fleming says “they have identified the driver,” adding the company “would not be back on the road if they had not cooperated with the police.”
“The driver has not been found, so I’d have to refer any additional information to the RCMP about how they’re trying to apprehend that individual,” Fleming told reporters Wednesday.
“Basically, since the evening when that driver abandoned their vehicle after the accident, police have been seeking that individual to interview them about how that accident happened, and have not been able to locate him to date.”
The company that owns the truck, Whistler Courier & Freightways, also confirmed Wednesday that it “cooperated completely with investigators looking into the Tuesday, Sept. 19 bridge strike on Highway 1 in North Vancouver.”
“Whistler Courier is operating with new safety policies and procedures following that incident. We understand that all investigations into the matter are concluded,” a statement posted to social media added.
At the time of the crash, police issued the company a violation ticket worth $368 for failing to remain at the scene of an accident.
The company previously said that two employees were “facing disciplinary action” in connection with the incident, though more information was not available due to privacy. It’s unclear if the driver involved remains an employee of Whistler Courier & Freightways.
The Ministry of Transportation’s Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement (CVSE) department took over the investigation and notes all of the carrier’s trucks were taken off the road after the incident. The suspension was lifted on Sept. 27.
Fleming’s comments only raise more questions following the incident, which forced the closure of a stretch of Highway 1 for around eight hours.
“I don’t know why this individual hasn’t been apprehended, except that they literally may be running away from justice right now, from talking to police. They obviously would probably have a pretty good idea that police are looking for them. That’s all I can say, I can’t speculate any further,” the minister told reporters.
“We have laws against companies that don’t cooperate with the police. A company that had its licence suspended pending an investigation that refused to cooperate with police would never get its licence back. I would never allow that to happen. The CVSE — Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement unit — would not restore anyone’s licence who is not cooperating with police fully.”
CityNews followed up with the North Vancouver RCMP on Wednesday asking whether or not it knew who the driver is and what is being done to locate the individual. In his response, Sahak reiterated that “enforcement action has been taken and our investigation has now been concluded.”
“The identity of a person is one aspect of the offence,” he added.
-With files from Liza Yuzda
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