Canuck man named King of the Coops

WASHINGTON, D.C. — If Usain Bolt inspected trucks, his name would be Alex Bugeya.

That’s because Ontario’s Alex Bugeya is the undisputed champion truck-inspector of North America.

Employed at the MTO‘s Putnam inspection station by day, Bugeya claimed bragging rights at the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) North American Inspectors Championship (NAIC) contest in Pittsburgh last week.

He emerged in first place from among 44 competitors representing pretty much every jurisdiction on the continent and was thus awarded the Jimmy K. Ammons Grand Champion Award for his combined performances in seven competitions.

Two other Canadian competitors were finalists in their divisions, too.

Rick Smith of Alberta placed second behind Bugeya but ahead of some 39 other inspectors in the North American Standard Level I Inspection. He also took the bronze in the Motorcoach inspection competition.

Pierre Gimard of Quebec placed third in the North American Standard Hazardous Materials/Transportation of Dangerous Goods and Cargo Tank/Bulk Packaging Inspection.

"I am so very proud of the men and women who put on a uniform and badge every day and dedicate their lives to commercial motor vehicle safety," said Stephen F. Campbell, CVSA’s executive director.