The provincial coroners office has released findings into the deaths of three people in a head-on collision south of Vernon March 31, 2013.
In investigating the deaths of Eric David Alexander Robertson, 19, of Armstrong, and Salmon Arm husband-and-wife Allan Arthur Allport, 70, and Fay Dorothy Allport, 67, coroner Margaret Janzen concluded that the two men died at the scene of massive blunt force trauma.
Janzen wrote that Fay Allport survived the crash but died in Kelowna General Hospital the next day, April 1, 2013, as a result of blunt force head trauma from the head-on collision.
The accident happened shortly before 2 p.m. on Highway 97, about 11 kilometres south of Vernon.
“Toxicology examination was not warranted,” wrote Janzen on each report into the three deaths. “I classify the deaths as accidental and make no recommendations.”
Janzen wrote that an RCMP forensic collision reconstructionist attended the scene, and concluded that the Allport’s Volvo had been involved in a head-on collision with a Chevrolet Silverado pickup after the truck crossed the centre lines.
Allan Allport was driving the Volvo and Robertson was a passenger in the truck.
“Evidence at the scene indicated Mr. Allport had pulled over to the shoulder and slowed down in an unsuccessful effort to avoid colliding with the Chevrolet,” wrote Janzen in her findings.
“There was no indication that the driver of the Chevrolet had taken any evasive action to avoid the collision.”
The driver of the truck did not suffer any serious injuries.
Both airbags deployed and all four occupants were wearing seatbelts.
The reconstructionist determined that the speed of the truck was between 78 and 94 kilometres per hour (posted speed limit is 90 km/h) and the speed of the Volvo was between 44 and 55 km/h.
No mechanical inspections of the vehicles were conducted.
Charges against the driver of the truck had not been disposed of at the time of the reports.
Brandon James Kenneth McGregor, 23, of Armstrong, was charged with dangerous driving causing death. His next court matter in the case is slated for March 30.
