A pedestrian accident that closed Highway 97 on Vernon’s Hospital Hill for several hours Wednesday remains under RCMP investigation.
A 51-year-old Vernon man was struck by a northbound tractor-trailer unit as he was crossing the highway near the intersection of 21st Avenue and 32nd Street shortly after 12:30 p.m.
“Our officers and a crash reconstructionist have been speaking to witnesses,” said Vernon RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk.
“The incident remains under investigation.”
The pedestrian was taken to Vernon Jubilee Hospital with serious injuries.
He is expected, however, to make a full recovery.
The driver of the tractor-trailer, a North Okanagan man, did not suffer any physical injuries but police said he was quite shaken by the incident.
“He stopped immediately and fully cooperated with police,” said Molendyk, who added that while the case is still under investigation, no charges have been laid in the accident.
“It is going to take some time to fully determine what happened,” said Molendyk.
Northbound traffic on the highway was closed for several hours, and rerouted around the area, while police investigated.
