A Surrey man has been charged for an August 18, 2017, collision with a Canadian Pacific (CP) Rail overpass in Coquitlam that caused traffic gridlock in the city for hours.
Robert Thomas Bateman, 64, is facing one count of dangerous driving and one count of mischief.
Bateman is accused of driving a flatbed truck with a crane on the back that collided with a CP Rail overpass on the Lougheed Highway just south of the Barnet Highway.
The collision caused a “visible hole” in the overpass, according to Coquitlam RCMP, which led to full and partial closures of Lougheed Highway that lasted through the afternoon rush hour.
“There was serious damage," said RCMP spokesman Cpl. Mike McLaughlin. "They had to bring in engineers, emergency personnel to do the work.”
The rail overpass was examined by CP engineers in the aftermath of the collision and was found to be operating normally.
There were no other vehicles involved in the collision and no injuries.
Bateman’s next court appearance is November 20, 2017.
