A business licence for a local tow truck operator has been suspended following an incident in late May which resulted in London Police Services laying several charges.
Sealove Canady, Director of L.O. Towing and Recovery Inc., received notice today of a licence suspension restricting the business from operating at accident scenes on a highway or other property of the municipality or its local boards for a period of 28 days.
The suspension follows a driver for the company being charged with operating the tow truck at excessive speeds and stunt driving, which resulted in the vehicle’s licence plates being seized, the vehicle being impounded for 14 days, and the driver’s licence being suspended for 30 days.
Both the driver employed by L.O Towing and Recovery Inc. and the owner of L.O Towing and Recovery Inc. were also charged with various other Highway Traffic Act offences, including drive motor vehicle without a currently validated permit (s. 7(5)(a)), failing to carry completed daily inspection report (s. 107(6)), colour coating obscuring interior (s. 73(3)), improper tire on commercial motor vehicle (s. 70(3)(a)), and operate vehicle without displaying a device (s. 85(1)).
“Driving at this excessive speed in a residential area poses a clear danger to pedestrian safety, vehicular safety, and public safety,” says Orest Katolyk, Director of Municipal Compliance and Chief Municipal Law Enforcement Officer. “The City is exercising its discretion to suspend this business licence with the intent of sending a clear message to tow truck owners and operators that aggressive driving and stunt tactics to be the first truck at an accident scene will not be tolerated.”
Residents are also reminded that companies towing from the scene of a collision are required to be licenced, and that you can choose whichever company you wish to use for a tow– you don’t have to use the first one on scene. A full list of licensed operators is available on our website at London.ca/Tow.