Mounties are seeking information about the details leading to a fatal crash on Highway 97.
Kelowna RCMP say a Dodge pickup was travelling southbound in the fast lane and was observed slowly “veering” across the painted median and into the path of a northbound White Ford sedan, who tried to avoid the pickup.
“The force of the head on impact caused the pickup to roll in the northbound lane, coming to rest on the passenger side and pinching the front end of a Black Pontiac sedan,” said Const. Steve Holmes.
“The pickup caught fire and passersby were able to get the pickup driver, a 33 year old Comox area male, out of the vehicle as it burned.”
The occupants of the white sedan, a man and woman from Manitoba both in their 6os, were trapped and needed to be extricated by Fire crews using the jaws of life.
Const. Holmes said the male driver suffered extensive serious head injuries and was taken to Kelowna General Hospital. The female passenger succumbed to her injuries and perished at the scene.
“The pickup driver was taken to Kelowna General Hospital for treatment of non life threatening injuries and the driver of the black Pontiac was uninjured,” he said.
Hwy 97 was closed in both directions as two RCMP Traffic Analysts attended to investigate the scene. Traffic flow was restored at 1:15 p.m.
Police believe speed may have been a factor and are investigating to find out why the pickup crossed into the oncoming lane. To that end, Police are asking anyone who witnessed the collision or was travelling southbound at the time of the collision, to contact Cst. Prommer, Central Okanagan Traffic Services at 250-980-5353.
