Police are not yet ruling out alcohol and speed as factors in the crash that killed two people on Highway 19 north of Campbell River around 5:40 p.m. Sunday
The victims are male and female, both in their 50’s and were pronounced dead at the scene. Three other people involved in the accident were still in hospital with serious injuries at Mirror press time on Monday. Campbell River RCMP are not releasing the names of the deceased and individuals under medical care.
However, a television station in Bend, Oregon, KTVA Newschannel 21, identified the deceased in the crash as city resident Charlotte Van Valkenburg and her cousin Curtis Bartley. Van Valkenburg’s death was also reported on her Facebook page.
The Facebook post says: “…Charlotte and her cousin Curtis Bartley were both killed in the accident, and her father Ike was injured and flown to the hospital in Victoria where he appears to be doing well and will likely be released. Words cannot express our sorrow at this horrific tragedy.”
Campbell River RCMP, Campbell River Fire, and BC Ambulance responded to the scene of the two-vehicle collision approximately 10 km North of Campbell River on Highway 19 at 5:40 pm.
A vehicle from Washington State was travelling northbound on Highway 19 when it was struck by a pickup truck heading southbound which had crossed the centre line on a right hand curve, a Campbell River RCMP press release says.
The Campbell River RCMP Major Case Unit is conducting an active and ongoing investigation into the cause of the crash. At this time alcohol and speed have not been ruled out as contributing factors, RCMP say. The BC Coroners Service is also conducting an investigation to determine how, where, when, and by what means both individuals came to their deaths.
“This is a very tragic incident,” Const. Maury Tyre of the Campbell River RCMP says. “Our hearts go out to the families who have been affected by this sad event.
“We would like to offer our thanks to the Campbell River Fire Department, BC Ambulance Services, and the many other off duty first responders who provided first aid at the scene. The efforts of these caring and professional people greatly assisted in the care and well being of injured people at the scene.”
Campbell River RCMP would like to speak with any witnesses to the crash that may not have been spoken to at the time of the accident. Anyone with further information or dashcam footage is asked to call 250-286-6221.
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