Update:
In response to reader’s concerns regarding pedestrian traffic on Highway 97 north after last week’s injury accident, we reached out to Todd Hubner, district manager for the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for comment about pedestrian traffic on the highway corridor.
Hubner said there are currently no plans in the works to review pedestrian safety, and pointed to two legal crossings in the area; one at the Y-intersection and another further up at Carson Drive.
He noted the ministry will review any recommendations given to them by the RCMP as it relates to the latest incident and also take concerns from the public.
Hubner all but ruled out the possibility of a pedestrain bridge in the area due to the high cost and lack of foot traffic, and also said putting another crosswalk across Highway 97 would only create a greater hazard due to the grade of the highway and traffic flow.
Original story:
A 23-year-old woman was sent to hospital with what is believed to be non-life threatening injuries after being struck while attempting to cross Highway 97 Wednesday evening.
Staff Sgt. Del Byron of the Williams Lake RCMP said police were called to the scene at 9:12 p.m. just north of the Y-intersection where the woman was attempting to illegally cross the four-lane highway and was hit by an SUV travelling north in the left lane.
Alcohol may have played a role on the part of the pedestrian, he said.
Emergency Health Services attended the scene and moved the injured woman to hospital at about 9:20 p.m.
While emergency crews were assisting on scene, there was also another traffic incident as a result of the pedestrian accident when a northbound truck hauling a large piece of equipment clipped a police vehicle as he navigated through the tight scene.
Byron said police then stopped the truck driver, who was apologetic and unaware that he hit the police vehicle’s mirror.
No charges were laid in either instance.
