Suspected drunk driver crashes into CHCH truck

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One man has been charged with impaired driving, after his mini-van collided with a CHCH News vehicles.

The crash happened this morning just outside our studios, and for a while, we were worried about the well-being of one of our own.

It was a scene that had many of us holding our breath. A CHCH news truck lay on it’s side after being hit by a black Dodge caravan. Linda Carson was driving behind our news truck and saw the whole thing.

“I saw the guy in the van come right through the red light and it just tossed the van over on its side.” Just after 10am the CHCH truck was travelling Westbound on Hunter Street crossing the intersection at Caroline, when it was hit by the south bound van.

Linda Carson called 9-11 while some CHCH staff jumped in to check on camera man Phil Fraboni, who was stuck inside. Paramedics had to cut through the windshield. Soon after Fraboni was able to walk out under his own power. He was put on a stretcher and taken to hospital with minor injuries. From there, attention turned to the driver of the mini van. Witnesses say that he was driving erratically just before the crash.

Doug Cushing, arrived on the scene shortly after the crash and spoke to the driver of the caravan: “When I got here, he was out of the car standing beside me and a smelled like he was drunk.”

Police searched the van and found a large bottle of vodka. “After speaking to witnesses they were able to form reasonable grounds to believe that the gentleman operating the vehicle was impaired by alcohol” said Constable Steve Welton.

The 22 year old man from Stoney Creek, was taken to the Hamilton central police station and later charged with impaired driving. The caravan was quickly removed from the intersection. Eventually the news truck was pulled upright, and taken away.

So far there has been no estimate on damage.

The driver of the van has been released and will appear in court on July 24th.

Luckily our live truck operator Phil Fraboni is expected to be ok. He’s at home getting some much needed rest and we wish him a speedy recovery.