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UPDATE: One dead after Highway 97A crash near Armstrong, police watchdog investigating

The crash happened as RCMP attempted to stop an alleged stolen vehicle

  • Oct. 25, 2020 12:00 a.m.

UPDATE: 5 p.m.

One person has died and another is in hospital following a crash on Highway 97A near Armstrong early Sunday morning (Oct. 25).

A Vernon North Okanagan RCMP officer pursued what was believed to be a stolen vehicle on the highway around 3 a.m. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, at which point police say the car “left the road” and came to a stop in a nearby ditch.

The male driver was pronounced dead at the scene and a female passenger was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The RCMP has notified the Independent Investigations Office of BC to determine whether police actions or inactions are linked to the man’s death.

The road reopened to traffic around 5:30 p.m.


ORIGINAL STORY:

Highway 97A remains closed in both directions after a collision near Armstrong this morning.

According to DriveBC, the collision occurred between Mountain View Road and McCallan Road.

The highway has been closed since early this morning and DriveBC says there is no time estimate for when it will be reopened.

A detour is available via McLeery Road to Lansdowne Road.

DriveBC is expected to provide updates as the situation progresses.

READ MORE: Too close to call in Vernon-Monashee race

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com


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Vernon Morning Star