Province launches legal action after bridge strike
The British Columbia government has filed a civil lawsuit in B.C. Supreme Court seeking compensation from a Surrey-based trucking company and the driver involved in a 2023 overpass strike in Delta. The lawsuit stems from a crash on Dec. 28, 2023, when a commercial truck carrying an oversize load struck the 112 Street overpass on Highway 99, causing significant damage to the bridge and related infrastructure.
According to the province’s statement of claim, the damage from the strike forced costly repairs to concrete stringers and other structural elements owned by the provincial government. The claim seeks compensation for the cost of those repairs along with associated expenses such as labour, equipment and materials.
Allegations of negligence and safety failures
The lawsuit names the trucking firm Chohan Carriers Ltd. and driver Jasveer Singh Sangha, alleging that the driver knowingly operated a vehicle with a load that exceeded legal height limits without securing the necessary oversized-load permits or an approved route. The claim also alleges that the company is vicariously liable for the driver’s actions and failed to implement proper safety policies and training that could have prevented the collision.
B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure says the action sends a message that companies and drivers must be held accountable for infrastructure damage caused by negligence. Industry representatives have acknowledged the lawsuit, noting that it highlights government efforts to recover public costs from preventable incidents.
Broader context of overpass safety enforcement
The lawsuit follows a history of overpass strikes on British Columbia highways involving commercial vehicles and reflects ongoing concerns about the safety and compliance of oversize hauls. Previous action by the province included cancelling a trucking company’s operating licence after repeated strikes, underscoring efforts to discourage similar incidents. The outcome of this legal case may influence how trucking safety and accountability are handled in future infrastructure damage cases.
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