Driver in boat towing accident facing multiple charges

The boat towing accident in mid-July that led to a lengthy closure of Montreal Street and a power outage for a number of residents has resulted in charges for the driver involved in the incident.

According to Kingston Police, the driver of the truck towing the boat, which brought down power lines, knocking out power for approximately 190 Utilities Kingston customers, is now facing a dozen charges.

The incident occurred on Friday, Jul. 19, 2019, at approximately 9:50 a.m. on Montreal Street near Sheppard Street. The large boat caught wires as it was being towed, and the section of the busy street was closed for well over eight hours. Many of the Utilities Kingston customers affected remained without until 6 p.m. that day.

According to Const. Ashley Gutheinz, media relations officer for Kingston Police, the Kingston Police Traffic Unit charged the truck driver that was towing the boat that day with the following:

• No directional signals (commercial motor vehicle)
• Improper brakes on a trailer (commercial motor vehicle)
• Failure to stop on an amber arrow
• Failure to accurately complete daily inspection report
• Over-length combination of vehicles
• Over-width load
• Improper ties on a drawn vehicle (commercial motor vehicle)
• Drawing a trailer without a permit
• Drawing a trailer without a licence plate
• Failure to comply with the conditions of a permit
• Over-height vehicle
• Failure to ensure daily inspection conducted properly