A semi driver died and another is in a coma following a three-vehicle crash on the Trans-Canada Highway east of Revelstoke on Saturday.
Staff-Sgt. Kurt Grabinsky said the crash happened near Albert Canyon when a tractor trailer heading eastbound and “potentially travelling too fast for conditions and the roadway,” crossed the centre line and struck two oncoming vehicles – a pickup truck carrying a family and an empty logging truck – before going off the road.
“The driver of the vehicle that went off the road was located in the cab of vehicle,” said Grabinsky. “The truck was decimated and he succumbed to his injuries.”
The driver of the logging truck is in a coma in Kamloops, he added.
Fortunately, the family in the pickup ended up only a little banged up, but their vehicle and boat were destroyed, said Grabinsky.
The crash happened at around 3 pm., not long after the highway re-opened following a closure for avalanche control in Glacier National Park.
Grabinsky said driver behaviour was always a concern following road closures.
“We observe dangerous behaviour — passing on double solids, trying to make up that time, trying to be ahead of the pack, and that is very concerning for us,” he said. “We are not certain this is what caused this accident at this time, but time wise it was in such close proximity.”
The fatal incident resulted in a 10 hour highway closure while police and the coroner investigated the accident and the scene was cleaned up.
