Road train driver arrested after damaging political office, two cars and several posts

A local MP says it’s time for stricter rules around trucks using small roads after his office was hit by a road train. Watch the video and have your say.

A truck driver wreaked havoc in Adelaide’s north overnight after colliding with a heritage office that serves as a politician’s office, and several parked cars.

Emergency services were called to Murray Street at Gawler after receiving reports of a road train colliding with a building – pulling down a veranda – as well as crashing into two parked cars near the intersection of Commercial Lane.

The road train did not stop at the scene.

A truck has been captured scraping into a building and two parked cars in the main street of Gawler late on Friday night. Picture: Facebook/Drillin’ Panagiotou

He then allegedly left the scene before police tracked him down and arrested him. Picture: Facebook/Drillin’ Panagiotou

The heritage building houses MP Tony Piccolo’s office.

Mr Piccolo told The Advertiser that this is the third time his office was impacted due to trucks travelling on domestic, narrow roads.

“Last night, my phone started lighting up with messages from people telling me to come and inspect the damage to my office from the train truck,” he said. “I live nearby fortunately.

“Once I got here, there were police officers conducting investigations and the fireys had closed off the road but my first concern was to make sure no one was injured.

“Now the damage to my office looks worse than it is in some ways … the outside is all torn up but the inside remained structurally sound.

“But this is a heritage building, therefore it will probably cost a penny of two to fix up.”

Mr Piccolo resumed his work in his office on Saturday morning.

However, the Labor representative says it is time for the council to consider implementing guidelines as to which roads are suitable for heavy vehicles in the region.

Tony Piccolo’s office damaged after train truck driver took down his veranda. Picture Roger Wyman

Meanwhile, police tracked down the truck allegedly involved in the incident to Sedan – about 55km away – and arrested the driver.

A Western Australian man, 57, was charged with drive without due care, dangerous speeding, and failing to stop at the scene of a crash.

He did not apply for bail and will appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Monday.