An Alberta man has been sentenced for dangerous driving after a devastating crash involving a tow truck and a luxury vehicle on Highway 1 in Yoho National Park.

Provincial police say the incident occurred on Dec. 8, 2023, when a B.C. Highway Patrol officer was assisting a tow truck operator with the impoundment of a Mercedes-Benz stopped for excessive speeding just west of Field, B.C.

Authorities say the tow truck had its amber warning lights activated and was parked on the roadside when an eastbound tractor-trailer driven by 38-year-old Dalvir Singh Jhattu failed to slow down or move over. Shortly after 9:30 p.m., the semi-truck slammed into the rear of the tow truck, destroying all three vehicles involved — the tow truck, the tractor-trailer and the Mercedes.

Police say the tow truck operator, the officer and the Mercedes driver had moved to a safe location moments before the crash, likely preventing serious injuries or fatalities.

“The circumstances could easily have resulted in multiple deaths,” said BC Highway Patrol spokesperson Cpl. Michael McLaughlin, noting the truck driver was trapped after his vehicle rolled over.

Dash-camera footage from the truck, tow vehicle and a police cruiser has been released to highlight the dangers of failing to follow “Slow Down and Move Over” laws when emergency lights are flashing.

Under British Columbia law, drivers must reduce their speed to below 70 km/h when passing emergency vehicles with flashing lights if the posted speed limit exceeds 80 km/h. Motorists are also required to move to the farthest available lane away from roadside responders when it is safe to do so.

Jhattu was convicted under the Criminal Code for dangerous driving. On April 8, 2026, he was sentenced to a six-month conditional sentence, including 90 days of house arrest, along with a 12-month driving prohibition across Canada. He is also barred from consuming alcohol or drugs during the sentence.

Police say the case serves as a stark reminder that posted speed limits apply only under ideal conditions.

“When emergency responders are working roadside, drivers must slow down even further,” McLaughlin said.