An overnight crash on the William R. Bennet Bridge that temporarily trapped a woman inside her car had the potential for serious injuries
West Kelowna RCMP responded Oct. 16 at 9:39 p.m. to a collision after a woman called police to report that she was trapped inside her car after being broadsided by a logging truck on the William R. Bennett Bridge.
“Emergency crews arrived on scene to discover that the woman had since managed to escape her vehicle,” said Const. Jesse O’Donaghey, in a press release.
“Police have determined that the Kenworth logging truck and Mazda 3 were westbound on the bridge when the semi sideswiped the Mazda as it pulled into the right hand slow lane from the centre lane.”
The grey Mazda 3, which sustained significant damage down the driver’s side of the vehicle, was towed from the scene. It’s driver, a 20-year-old Kelowna woman, escaped the crash uninjured.
The driver of the Kenworth was identified as a 53-year-old Revelstoke man.
“RCMP would like to ensure that motorists are aware that commercial vehicles have larger blind spots than passenger vehicles,” said O’Donaghey.
“Driving alongside a commercial vehicle can be dangerous. Driver’s should consider slowing down to allow these vehicles to pull ahead or pass them when it is safe to do so. Both commercial vehicle and personal vehicle drivers are urged to take the extra time and precautions to ensure they clear their blind spots of any vehicles and properly signal their lane change.”
If you witnessed this crash and have not yet spoken to police you are asked to contact the West Kelowna RCMP at 250-768-2880.
