Police say transport driver using his phone tried to switch seats with passenger

A Caledon commercial driver faces charges after an OPP traffic stop in Hearst. A witness reported the driver and passenger switching seats while moving.

A 27-year-old commercial motor vehicle driver has been charged after trying to switch seats with a passenger and hide in his truck – while the vehicle was still moving -- in northern Ontario this week.

Ontario Provincial Police said in a news release Wednesday that the driver was spotted using his phone while driving in Hearst around 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 16.

As police were stopping the transport, “a witness reported seeing the driver and passenger switch seats while the vehicle was still in motion,” the OPP said in a news release.

Hiding in the sleeper berth

“Officers located the original driver hiding in the sleeper berth of the vehicle. The passenger initially denied the switch, but further investigation confirmed the deception. Additional inspection revealed multiple violations related to the driver’s daily logs and inspection reports.”

The driver, who is from Caledon, Ont., has been charged with dangerous driving, obstructing police, using a cellphone while driving, failing to maintain a daily log and inspection report and failing to properly record duty status changes.

The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Hearst on Nov. 5.

The 25-year-old passenger from Mississauga was charged with making a false statement under the Highway Traffic Act.

That individual is scheduled to appear before the Provincial Offences Court in Hearst on Nov. 12.