A local driver involved in a collision with a parked police cruiser Wednesday has been fined nearly $500 for failing to yield to an emergency vehicle.
A Thunder Bay Police Service officer with the Traffic Unit was at a traffic stop in the 600 block of Memorial Avenue just after noon on Wednesday, March 24 dealing with a suspended driver who was uninsured and using improper plates.
Just after 12:30 p.m. a sedan collided with the police cruiser, which did have its emergency lights activated during the ongoing traffic stop.
While the roadway conditions did deteriorate afterwards, they were not a factor at the time of the collision.
The motorist was believed to be travelling at about 60 km/h at the time off the collision. While the driver did swerve moments before making contact with the cruiser, it does not appear there as an attempt to brake. The parked cruiser was pushed about 20 feet.
An 82-year-old Thunder Bay man is charged with Failing to Slow Down and Yield to an emergency vehicle.
The Thunder Bay Police Service would like to remind the public to slow down and move over for emergency vehicles. This is the law in Ontario and includes tow trucks with their lights activated.
Learn more about Ontario’s move-over laws here: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/emergency-vehicles.shtml
The officer involved was medically evaluated at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, but appears to have avoided sustaining serious injuries.