By Dominique Tassell
The 43-year-old man who was previously issued with fines over an incident at Wallangarra last week has been charged.
He has been charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle following investigations into the incident, which occurred at a heavy vehicle traffic stop on July 21.
The driver of the vehicle was originally issued with four infringement notices after he produced invalid border passes before becoming abusive and striking parts of his truck with his fists.
The driver then allegedly ignored requests to produce his driver’s license when advised he would be turned around to New South Wales.
When the driver saw an infringement notice being issued, they then allegedly performed a U-Turn when one was not permitted and this allegedly resulted in them almost hitting a police officer.
It is alleged that he drove away at speed, leaving skid marks, and that he was required to be followed.
The truck was followed to a service station in New South Wales where he was again spoken to by police however it is alleged he refused to get out of the cab and began throwing items out of the driver’s seat window.
Police managed to negotiate with the driver, and explained his border pass requirements and helped him complete a new pass.
He was charged at the time with one Failing to Comply – Covid 19 Border Direction, and three traffic infringement notices for failing to produce a driver’s license, failing to wear seatbelt and conducting a U-Turn over a single or double white line.
He has now been issued with a Notice to Appear (NTA) for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and will appear in the Stanthorpe Magistrates Court on September 22.
This comes as new border requirements for heavy vehicle freight drivers came into effect this morning at 1am.
They will need to obtain and display an appropriate Freight and Logistics Pass and adhere to a Covid-19 testing regime before entering Queensland.
