Van slams in to CHCH truck

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It is an emotional day for us at CHCH. One of our cameramen has been released from hospital after his news truck was hit by a suspected drunk driver.

It happened just before 10 o’clock outside the station in downtown Hamilton. According to witnesses, the Dodge Caravan was driving erratically along Caroline, toward Hunter.

The CHCH live truck ended up on its side. EMS, police and fire responded. Crews had to break the front windshield to get photographer Phil Fraboni out of the vehicle.

He was taken to hospital, but has since been released and is recovering at home.

Rough end to my day at work. Resting at home now. Shout out to those that helped on scene & #HamOnt EMS-Fire-Police https://t.co/OHDg3qGJFT

— Phil Fraboni (@HamCam) June 24, 2015

The driver of the van was arrested, after witnesses reported smelling alcohol on his breath. Police found a bottle of vodka inside the Caravan. Hamilton Police tell CHCH News the 24 year old man will be charged with impaired driving.

Linda Carson was driving behind Fraboni and told CHCH News what she saw. “I saw the guy (in the Caravan) come right through the red light and it just tossed the (CHCH) van over on its side.”

“I did see him get out of his car, so I knew he was ok. And then I just started dialing 911.

“This driver, whether he was injured or not, he just didn’t seem coherent. Because I had to ask if he needed an ambulance as well and he just said ‘no, I think I’m OK.'”

And another eyewitness saw the man driving the Caravan before it happened. The man turned down Main and came down Carolina at an erratic speed and was yelling at pedestrians before the collision happened.

Image: @KevenTheZa via Twitter