Police are considering charging a northern Adelaide transport company with negligent manslaughter over the death of one of its drivers, according to a report by Australia's ABC.net.au.

The driver died after his truck slammed into a pole in Main South Road at Happy Valley on March 7, according to the report.

Detective Acting Superintendent Greg Hutchins told ABC.net.au police have declared the death a major crime. "It will be alleged that brake failure was the cause of this accident. If you deliberately fail to maintain vehicle standards and an employee or an innocent member of the public was to die we will rigorously investigate and, if at all possible, lay criminal charges." he said.

Police think the truck hit a pole as the driver tried to avoid a traffic build-up, according to the report. A taskforce is investigating if there is enough evidence to charge the company with negligent manslaughter and other criminal charges. After the accident, police defected 11 of the company's trucks and searched the company's premises.

Road Transport Association executive director Steve Shearer told ABC.net.au police should use the full force of the law to ensure companies maintain safe fleets.

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