A commercial motor vehicle driver is facing a string of charges after Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) say he switched seats with a passenger during a traffic stop in Hearst, Ont.
James Bay OPP officers pulled the truck over on Front Street at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 16 after observing the driver using a handheld communication device. According to police, a witness reported seeing the driver and passenger swap seats while the vehicle was still in motion.
Officers later found the original driver hiding in the sleeper berth. While the passenger initially denied the switch, investigators confirmed the deception. A further inspection uncovered multiple violations involving the driver’s daily logs and inspection reports.
Police say Gurkirat Singh, 27, of Caledon, Ont., was arrested and charged with dangerous operation, obstructing a peace officer, using a handheld communication device while driving, failing to maintain a daily log, failing to complete and surrender daily inspection reports, and failing to properly record duty status changes. He was released and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Hearst on Nov. 5.
The truck’s passenger, a 25-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., was also charged under the Highway Traffic Act with making a false statement. That individual is scheduled to appear before the Provincial Offences Court in Hearst on Nov. 12. Charges have not been proven in court.
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