A transport driver from Orillia faces a long list of charges after the operator of a horse-drawn buggy died as a result of injuries sustained during a collision on Highway 17 in early December.
Officers responded to the scene near Iron Bridge on the evening of Dec. 4. The 29-year-old buggy driver was rushed to hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The trucking company was also charged in relation to this incident.
Additional information can be found in the OPP news release below.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and those charged are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
On Dec. 4, 2023, the East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the OPP's Technical Collision Investigators responded to a motor vehicle collision involving a tractor trailer that struck a horse and buggy. Both were travelling eastbound on Highway 17 in the Municipality of Huron Shores.
The 29-year-old buggy operator sustained extensive injuries and was transported to hospital by Algoma Paramedic Services. He later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
As a result of the investigation, Leonard Mango, 56 years of age from Orillia was charged with:
• Driving while under suspension
• Careless driving
• Fail to maintain daily log (15 counts)
• Fail to accurately complete daily inspection report
• Drive commercial motor vehicle with a major defect in it or drawn vehicle
• Improperly drive commercial motor vehicle with a minor defect in it or in drawn vehicle
• Overweight dual axle…kg. Class A Highway
• Overweight four axle group…kg. Class A Highway - liftable axle deployed improperly
• Operate unsafe vehicle - commercial motor vehicle
• Operate commercial motor vehicle with load not secured as prescribed
• Improper muffler - motor vehicle
• No clear view to front
• Drive after 16 hours since break without eight hours off
• Enter inaccurate information in record (two counts)
• Drive after 14 hours on duty without eight hours off
• Push rod stroke exceeds prescribed limit - commercial motor vehicle
• Wheel brake operating improperly - commercial motor vehicle
The accused is schedule to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sault Ste. Marie on April 3, 2024.
Hunt Trucking Ltd. from Mulmur, Ont., was charged with:
• Permit person to drive commercial motor vehicle not in accordance with the regulations (15 counts)
• Fail to monitor driver's compliance (16 counts)
• Request, require or allow non-compliance (four counts)
• Permit operation of commercial motor vehicle with load not secured as prescribed
The accused is schedule to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sault Ste. Marie on April 3, 2024.
