Charges are pending as the RCMP continue to assist the BC Coroners Service following a fatal collision on Highway 33 overnight in Joe Rich.
The Kelowna RCMP were called July 7 at 10:15 p.m. to the scene of a fatal injury collision on Highway 33 at Falcon Road in the Joe Rich area of Kelowna.
“Preliminary findings at the scene have determined that an eastbound blue Honda motorcycle struck a deer which caused it to cross over into the oncoming lane where it collided with a westbound black Nissan sedan,” said Jesse O’Donaghey, in a press release.
“The motorcyclist, a 35-year-old man of Alberta, was pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency crews. His name is being withheld at this time pending the proper notification of his next of kin.”
The driver and lone occupant of the black Nissan sedan, a 31-year-old Kelowna man, was not injured in the crash.
“During the investigator’s interaction with the driver of the Nissan, at the collision scene, signs and symptoms of possible alcohol intoxication were detected. As a result a demand was made of the driver who provided samples of his breath into a roadside device which resulted in a FAIL,” said O’Donaghey. ‘
“The man was subsequently arrested and taken to the Kelowna RCMP Detachment for additional testing where he provided breath samples in excess of the legal limit,” adds O’Donaghey.
The driver of the Nissan was released from police custody on driving prohibitions under the Motor Vehicle Act. He faces potential charges of impaired operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm and is expected to be compelled to Court on a later date.
A portion of Highway 33 was closed for several hours and traffic was diverted while an RCMP collision reconstructionist conducted a detailed analysis of the crash scene. Both vehicles have been seized by investigators.
RCMP Central Okanagan Traffic Service (COTS), the Kelowna RCMP Municipal Traffic Section and Integrated Collision Analyst and Reconstructionist Services (ICARS), continue to assist the BC Coroners Service in the investigation.
If you witnessed this crash and have not yet spoken to police you are asked to contact the RCMP Central Okanagan Traffic Services (COTS) at 250-980-5353.
