Suspended Ont. tow truck operator charged, rig impounded

An officer with the Thunder Bay Police Service stopped and impounded a tow truck after confirming the local driver was operating it with a suspended licence on Jan. 3, 2026. (Thunder Bay Police Service/Facebook)

A 44-year-old Thunder Bay man faces multiple charges after police stopped a tow truck last week for being operated by a suspended driver.

The Thunder Bay Police Service said the incident occurred on the afternoon of Jan. 3 when an officer initiated a traffic stop after observing the commercial vehicle, which was believed to be operated by the suspended driver.

As a result of the stop and subsequent investigation, the motorist has been charged with driving while under suspension, failing to apply for a permit on becoming the owner of a vehicle, operating a commercial motor vehicle without a valid commercial vehicle operator’s registration, failing to ensure his name and certificate number were displayed as a tow operator and failing to ensure his tow operator certificate was in the truck.

Additionally, the tow truck was impounded by police for seven days.

“Businesses and drivers should be aware of their legal responsibilities under the Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act and Highway Traffic Act,” said police in a news release.

The accused is scheduled to appear in court in March.

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