An overloaded dump truck carrying giant rocks went into oncoming traffic before crashing into a small greenspace on Royal Avenue Thursday morning.
New Westminster Police Department Sgt. Andrew Leaver said the incident occurred about 10 a.m. on Feb. 27 when a commercial vehicle that was travelling westbound on Royal Avenue was unable to slow as it went down the hill.
“The commercial vehicle went into oncoming traffic, coming to a stop on the median attached to the parking lot of a business complex,” he said. “No injuries were sustained and there was minor damage to the grass and a roadway sign.”
On Thursday, the NWPD responded to comments on social media from residents voicing concerns about the incident. The police department said a dump truck loaded with giant rocks was heading down the Royal Avenue hill when it lost its brakes, went into the other lane and landed in the little park outside of the liquor store at Columbia Square.
“Our traffic unit and commercial vehicle enforcement unit attended the scene of this collision. Not only did we find this truck was overloaded, but six out of 10 brakes were not working correctly,” said the NWPD post.
Leaver told the Record the driver was served with a number of violations under the Motor Vehicle Act and Commercial Transport Act.
“The vehicle was removed from the road until it could be made safe to re-enter the roadway,” he said. “We would like to remind commercial vehicle operators to ensure that their vehicles are properly loaded and in good mechanical condition. We all have to play our part to keep our roads safe.”
