12 teens found in U-Haul cargo area during Ottawa police stunt driving crackdown

Ottawa police found twelve teenagers in the back of a U-Haul van on Prince of Wales Drive during a stunt-driving enforcement operation. May 8, 2026. (Ottawa Police Service/release)

Ottawa police say a 17-year-old driver is facing stunt driving charges after allegedly transporting a dozen teenagers in the back of a U-Haul van on Friday.

According to a news release from police, the U-Haul van was stopped on Prince of Wales Drive near Maplehill Way during a stunt driving enforcement operation.

Police say 12 teens between 17 and 18 years old were riding in the cargo area of the truck, some of them seated on a sofa. Three others were in the front of the vehicle, one of which was not wearing a seatbelt.

The driver was charged with stunt driving for carrying passengers in the cargo area, resulting in a 30-day licence suspension. The vehicle was also impounded for 14 days.

Officers issued several other charges on Friday as part of their enforcement initiative, including a stunt driving charge for a 30-year-old driver who police say was travelling 140 km/h in a 70 km/h zone on Strandherd Drive.

Police say four vehicles were impounded and four drivers were charged with stunt driving.

Police also laid 23 Provincial Offence Notices and 10 Part III Summons for “offences related to high-risk driving behaviour and unsafe vehicle operation,” including speeding, red light violations, unnecessary noise, improper tires and seat-belt related offences.

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