Transport driver in viral video identified, charged

The video of a close call between two transport trucks and a snowplow in Northern Ontario that earned 1.6 million views on YouTube.com has led to charges being laid against one driver.

On Jan. 4, officers with the Ontario Provincial Police detachment in Nipigon responded to a report of a motor-vehicle collision on Highway 11, in Greenstone.

The driver of a north bound tractor trailer rounded a curve and came practically face-to-face with a south bound tractor trailer that was attempting to pass a snowplow.

To avoid a head-on collision, the driver of the north bound semi was forced to the side of the road, colliding with several guard posts before coming to a stop.

The driver of the south bound tractor trailer unit continued south without stopping. The dramatic, dashcam video of the incident went viral on YouTube.com and was provided to police by the the north bound driver.

Using the video, police were able to identify the vehicle and the driver of the south bound tractor trailer. The 31-year-old driver from Milton, Ont., faces charges.

The investigation is continuing and the name of the driver cannot be released until formal charges have been laid.

"It was obvious from the video, which has garnered a lot of attention from social media sites, that this incident could have easily resulted in much more tragic circumstances,” said Staff Sergeant Randy Bye, OPP detachment commander in Nipigon.

@northern_life