Over a year has passed since a transport truck veered off an embankment in Newfoundland’s Burin Peninsula. The Crown has disclosed that the president of the company is currently located in India, making him inaccessible.
On February 4, 2025, a truck belonging to Ollie Transport, based in Ontario, went over an embankment near a residence in Swift Current, causing a spill of hundreds of liters of diesel and leaving debris at the scene.
The provincial government has accused the company of disregarding a ministerial directive to clean up and restore the site and has taken legal action against both the company and its president, Harinder Singh.
Documents from the court, obtained by CBC News, reveal that a nationwide arrest warrant was issued for Singh earlier this year due to the belief that his arrest is necessary in the public interest.
In a court session in Clarenville last November, Crown attorney Cory Binderup noted, “Mr. Singh is currently out of the country, in India, and is unlikely to return to Canada.” Binderup also mentioned that Singh was allegedly driving the truck at the time of the accident.
Binderup further stated last month that encountering difficulties in serving Singh, he intends to seek substitute service, an alternative method for delivering legal notices when personal service is challenging or being avoided.
A spokesperson for the provincial government, Gina Macarthur, emphasized the government’s commitment to environmental protection, expressing understanding for those impacted by the incident and affirming the government’s decision to pursue legal action against the non-compliant company.
The court is scheduled to revisit the matter on April 2.
Efforts to contact Ollie Transport via email and phone have proven unsuccessful, with no responses received.
‘Resembling a Battlefield’
Nancy Barrington, a resident of Swift Current residing near the crash site, described the aftermath of the truck accident, highlighting the persistent smell of spilled oil more than a year later.
Barrington revealed that the incident has caused her significant mental distress, expressing concerns about the possibility of a similar event occurring in the future.
She shared her ongoing worry, stating, “It’s always in the back of your mind, I guess. And it’s a sad thing that people have to go through this.”
While some debris has been cleared, Barrington noted the presence of larger remnants such as truck parts and tires, contributing to the area’s chaotic appearance post-accident.
The spilled diesel has seeped into the ground, discoloring the grass, and raising concerns about the property’s vulnerability to fires during the summer wildfire season.
Barrington reported that she engaged with Environment and Climate Change Canada officers in January to address the environmental impact of the crash.
Advocating for stricter penalties for environmental offenders and faster site restoration, Barrington called for enhanced monitoring of trucks traversing the province.
“I want the area cleaned up and restored to its former state,” she emphasized.
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Swift Current resident frustrated by mess left behind after transport truck crash
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