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Truck driver's death declared major crime

Truck driver's death declared major crime

A special police taskforce involving major crime detectives is investigating whether a trucking company in Adelaide’s northern suburbs is to blame for the death of one of its drivers.

Police said they are examining if there is enough evidence to charge the trucking company with negligent manslaughter over the death.

The 45-year-old Salisbury man died on March 7 when his truck veered onto gravel and crashed into a sign post on Main South Rd at Happy Valley.

Police believe he was trying to avoid a collision with other cars.

“Brake failure was the cause of this accident… it’s cost the life of the driver, the family’s grieving, but the accident could have killed other people as well,” Detective Acting Superintendent Greg Hutchins said.

For the first time Major Crime, Major Crash and Heavy Vehicle officers are joining forces to investigate whether the driver’s employer is to blame.

On Friday they checked other trucks at the northern suburbs business, where 11 were defected.

Police said a vast majority of them had significant brake issues.

They have already spoken to former employees and want to charge the owners with negligent manslaughter if there is enough evidence to do so.

Police will not publicly name the company, but believe many within the trucking industry will know either the driver or the business in question.

They are urging former employees and anyone with further information to come forward.