Kingston driver charged with careless driving after crashing into active work site

Utilities Kingston is expressing relief and gratitude that two of its employees working within an excavation site were unharmed after a vehicle drove through construction site barricades and over the excavation hole.

The incident, which occurred at approximately 1:35 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, saw the driver of the vehicle trapped within it, the driver’s side door hanging over the hole as the car perched precariously on the edge of the excavation site. Witnesses reported that the vehicle slammed through concrete barriers with enough force to throw them several feet, which was evident in the mess of construction debris on scene while emergency responders tended to the incident. The site, currently still under construction, is located on Princess Street near Indian Road and Hillendale Avenue. Kingston Fire and Rescue, Kingston Police, and Frontenac Paramedics were all dispatched to the scene, which was considered a rescue operation, given the hazardous state of the vehicle’s position.

Firefighters were able to secure the vehicle with chains and winches, stabilizing it enough that the driver could be removed from car safely. The driver was assessed by Frontenac Paramedics, and did not sustain any serious injuries, according to Kingston Police.

Utilities Kingston had been requested by a contractor to attend the site to complete a water service tap on a watermain when the accident occurred.

“We can confirm that… there has been an accident that resulted in a motorized vehicle entering a work site excavation. While there were two employees from the Utilities Kingston water operations group in the excavation, they are safe, and we are thankful that everyone is OK,” Utilities Kingston relayed in a statement.

While the incident caused traffic disruptions for the better part of an hour, that was thankfully the biggest upset involved, as work continued just over an hour later.

According to Kingston Police, the driver of the vehicle was charged with careless driving under the Highway Traffic Act.

And for Utilities Kingston, the incident can now serve as a reminder of an important rule for those on the roads:

“To protect worker and public safety, please slow down and follow all signs when crews are at work,” the local utility provider said.