October 17, 2008 - 7:31 pm

The driver of a tractor trailer that rolled along the Deerfoot Trail today killing a dozen horses inside, is now facing a long list of charges.

The 53 year old from Brosseau, north-east of Edmonton, is charged with careless driving, failing to produce insurance, not having the right class of drivers license to operate a big rig, and two other traffic act offences.

Eight of the horses died or were put down at the scene when the truck tipped over on the Deerfoot between Highway 22-X and Seton Blvd at around 7 o'clock Friday morning.

4 other horses had to be taken to Okotoks to be put down.

There were about 44 horses in the truck.

One by one, firefighters and staff from Spruce Meadows removed the horses until the trailer was emptied.

Crews spent about three hours trying to free the animals.