Truck found driving along Highway 11’s shoulder missing set of wheels: OPP

Ontario Provincial Police observed a commercial vehicle on the shoulder of Highway 11 near Temagami on Feb. 28, 2026. An inspection revealed a missing set of wheels. Authorities located the missing wheels about 8 kilometres north of where the vehicle has stopped. (Ontario Provincial Police/Facebook)

Provincial police have charged the driver and two companies after a commercial vehicle missing a set of wheels was found driving along Highway 11 late last month.

Officers from the Temagami Ontario Provincial Police detachment were alerted to the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) at about 4:15 p.m. on Feb. 28.

Police located the vehicle and conducted a Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance Level 2 inspection.

“The vehicle was ordered out of service,” police said in a social media post.

OPP said the truck was driving on the shoulder of the highway without a set of wheels.

“The missing wheels were found about 8 km north of where the vehicle stopped,” police said.

Multiple charges laid

As a result of the incident, the 28-year-old driver from Ontario is charged with operating an unsafe CMV, failing to enter a defect in a daily inspection report and driving a CMV with a major defect.

OPP have also laid charges against the Alberta-based company responsible for the truck. The Alberta company is charged with operating a CMV with a wheel separation, permitting the operation of an unsafe CMV and failing to ensure performance standards are met.

The Manitoba-based company responsible for the trailer is charged with operating a CMV with a wheel separation.

Absolute liability under Ontario law

Under Ontario’s commercial vehicle safety requirements, wheel separations are treated with exceptional seriousness. The province has established an absolute liability law for such incidents, meaning operators and drivers can face penalties regardless of the cause. Fines for operating a vehicle with a wheel separation range from $2,000 to $50,000.

Safety reminder

In the wake of recent incidents, authorities emphasizing the importance of regular inspections for commercial vehicles.

“The OPP reminds all commercial vehicle operators to conduct daily inspections and maintain vehicle safety to prevent serious incidents,” police said.

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