Commercial truck driver fired, facing charges after parked cars struck in Metro Vancouver

The driver, who police did not identify in their statement, is scheduled to appear in a Port Coquitlam courtroom on March 12, 2025, on one count each of impaired operation of a motor vehicle and operating a vehicle while over the legal limit for alcohol. (Handout)

A commercial truck driver has been fired and is facing potential impaired driving charges after police say his tractor-trailer collided with four parked cars in Port Coquitlam, B.C.

The B.C. Highway Patrol says it is recommending the chares against a 42-year-old driver from Surrey following the crash on Monday afternoon.

Investigators were called by an "alert citizen" who reported the truck driving erratically on the Mary Hill Bypass in Port Coquitlam around 3 p.m., the B.C. Highway Patrol said in a news release Wednesday.

Before police arrived on scene, the truck hit four parked vehicles on nearby Industrial Avenue, according to the release.

"It is unbelievable that a professional driver would consider operating a vehicle of this size while impaired," Cpl. Michael McLaughlin said in the release.

"That's why B.C. Highway Patrol is recommending criminal charges."

The driver, who police did not identify in their statement, is scheduled to appear in a Port Coquitlam courtroom on March 12, 2025, on one count each of impaired operation of a motor vehicle and operating a vehicle while over the legal limit for alcohol.

According to the release, the driver was handed a 90-day driving prohibition and the truck he was driving was impounded for 24 hours.

'Shocked and disappointed'

In an emailed statement, the company that owns and operates the truck said the driver was hired in April and passed a rigorous screening process, including a drug test, a criminal record check and a review of his driving record.

Those checks were repeated last week after the driver returned to work following a leave of absence, the statement from Surrey-based JMG Carrier said.

"The safety of the public, our drivers, and our clients is our utmost priority. We are deeply concerned and disheartened to learn of the incident involving one of our drivers," the statement said.

"We are shocked and disappointed by the allegations of impaired driving in connection with this incident. Such behaviour is unacceptable for a commercial driver, and we took immediate action to terminate the driver's employment."

The company says it is fully co-operating with the police investigation and is conducting its own internal review to determine how the incident occurred.

"As a company, JMG Carrier stands firmly against impaired driving and is committed to advocating for safer roads," the statement continued.

"We believe that more robust measures are necessary to prevent such incidents in the future. We strongly support implementing mandatory dashcams in commercial vehicles to monitor driver behavior and enhance accountability."

JMG Carrier said it recognizes "the seriousness of this situation and the impact it has on the community" and will provide updates on the incident as further information becomes available.