Mercedes driver charged in 2024 fuel tanker rollover and spill on QEW

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A Mercedes driver is now charged more than a year after OPP allege he sparked a serious crash on the Fort Erie-bound lanes of the QEW in Lincoln.

In a news release on Friday, OPP alleged a black Mercedes was being driven aggressively and brake checking other vehicles on Jan. 12, 2024, at 7:45 a.m. east of Tufford Road.

The aggressive behaviour led a white SUV to collide with a fuel tanker, cops said, and both vehicles left the highway and went into the right ditch.

The fuel tanker rolled through the highway barrier fence and came to rest on the South Service Road, spilling a large amount of its load of 53,000 litres of diesel fuel and causing environmental damage. The cleanup required a lengthy highway closure, police noted.

The Mercedes driver did not remain at the scene and did not report their involvement in the collision to the authorities, OPP said.

An extensive investigation led to the identification of the suspect vehicle and driver.

Mirkarim Mousavi, 59, of Burlington, has been charged with dangerous operation causing bodily harm and fail to stop at accident resulting in bodily harm.

Mousavi was released from custody and is to attend court in St. Catharines on June 9.

The OPP thanked the public and the media “for their assistance in this investigation.”

Anyone with information can contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.