(ELGIN COUNTY, ON) – A 38 year old Middlesex Centre Township, ON. man has been charged with several Highway Traffic Act offences after police received a complaint from an area school bus driver regarding an irate driver that had almost caused a collision with the school bus.
The investigation stems from an incident which occurred on March 25th 2014, around 7:40am. The complainant was driving School Bus for Badder Bus Lines along his normal route picking up High school students destined for the St. Thomas area. At the time of the incident there were eleven (11) High School aged students on board the bus.
The school bus, which was traveling north on Woodplante Road, Southwold Township, stopped at the intersection of Woodplante Road and Southminster Bourne and then turned east onto Southminster Bourne. The bus driver observed a white pick-up truck travelling east on Southminster Bourne approaching Woodplante Road but it was at a safe distance to proceed.
The bus driver then advised that the driver of the white pickup truck came up beside the bus in the west bound lane and was shaking his hands and continued side by side the bus for almost one kilometre. The pickup truck then sped ahead of the bus and then abruptly braked. The driver of the bus had to take evasive actions and quickly brake to avoid rear ending the pick-up truck. Some students had to brace themselves, however no one was injured in the maneuver.
The pickup truck then accelerated and came to a stop at the next intersection. The driver of the pickup truck then exited his vehicle and approached the bus which had now come to a stop behind the truck. The driver of the pickup truck was waving his arms and shouting obscenities at the bus driver who did not respond. The pickup truck driver then got back into his vehicle and sped off. Students on board the bus were able to copy down the licence plate of the truck.
Police investigation has identified the driver of the pick-up truck as Peter KEMMERLING, age 38 of Middlesex Centre Township. Police have charged him with;
1. Careless Driving contrary to Section 130 of the Highway Traffic Act
2. Stunt Driving (Stop or slow to interfere with another vehicle) contrary to section 172 (1) HTA
3. Operate Commercial Motor Vehicle – No Valid CVOR contrary to section 16(1) HTA
KEMMERLING is scheduled to appear in St.Thomas Provincial Offences Court on April 25th, 2014
