Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Canadian Tow Truck Driver Charged In Fatal Crash

Here's the story from The Mississauga News:
January 27, 2009 08:35 AM - A Mississauga family is in mourning after a fatal car crash on Hwy. 403 in Ancaster on the weekend.
Jeyakumar Nadarajah was killed early Saturday when his car slammed into the back of a flatbed tow truck that was parked in the highway's eastbound lanes.
Balan Nadarajah, Jeyakumar's cousin who grew up with him in Sri Lanka, said Jeyakumar was married and ran a small transportation business in Mississauga.
The 32-year-old came to Canada in the early 1990s and worked hard to support his parents and siblings.
"Everything is so sad. It is very hard to adjust," Balan said.
The crash occurred after a tow truck, which was responding to help a car that had spun off the road, blocked a portion of the passing lane, police say.
As Nadarajah drove through, he struck the rear of the truck and was killed instantly.
The tow truck driver, believed to be an employee of CRG Towing, has been charged with criminal negligence causing death.
Police have not released the name of the 33-year-old Hamilton man.
The charge provided little consolation to Nadarajah's family, who are now planning his funeral — to take place tomorrow at Scott Funeral Home On Dundas St. E. near Hensall Circle in Mississauga.
Ontario Provincial Police Sergeant Dave Woodford said blocking a live lane is against the law and tow trucks are not exempt.
"A lot of them are courteous and help us," he said of tow truck drivers. "But you have to remember safety."
Several tow company operators in Hamilton said it was the driver's responsibility to ensure safety.
Merv McAllister of Bennett's Towing felt the operator should have pulled to the right and waited for the OPP to close the lane.
Another towing company owner said: "You have to be off the highway ... he should have waited for police."
Attempts to contact CRG Towing's owner were unsuccessful.

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