(KINGSTON, ON) – A driver towing a homemade trailer, with an insecure load of cattle, caused a collision between multiple vehicles on Highway 401 in Kingston.
On October 18, 2024 just after 7:00 am, a small crossover type vehicle was towing a homemade trailer housing eight dairy calves. The trailer was not sufficient to haul the load of cattle and broke apart while traveling west on the 401 Highway near Joyceville Road.
The cattle spilled out onto the Highway and incurred injuries, requiring a veterinarian to attend and assess them. Other vehicles traveling the highway in the same direction attempted to avoid the traffic hazard, resulting in a tractor trailer being struck by another tractor trailer, in a secondary collision.
Frontenac members were assisted by an inspector from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to remove the cattle from the highway. They were being transported from Montreal to St Catharines, Ontario location. The cattle have been seized, as the investigation is continuing by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
The driver, Omar Selma, age 25 from Montreal, Quebec was charged with Highway Traffic Act offences:
Operate Unsafe Vehicle
Driver Fail to Surrender Licence
Draw Trailer, No Plate
The driver will appear before the Ontario Court of Justice, in Kingston, on December 9, 2024.
The highway was reduced or closed to traffic for approximately 5 hours for clean up.