Vernon man dies in crash

Oct 25, 2019 | 3:23 PM

A 24-year-old Vernon man died after a car rolled off Highway 97 and came to rest on the Okanagan Rail Trail in Lake Country.

The incident happened Thursday morning between the Pelmewash Parkway on-ramp and Crystal Waters Road, with the driver found dead inside the vehicle.

Police were called to the scene just after 7 a.m. Thursday.

“The caller reported that the vehicle, a black 2015 Volkswagen Jetta, had come to rest upright on the Okanagan Rail Trail and there was unresponsive man inside,” said Jesse O’Donaghey, spokesperson for the Southeast District RCMP.

A 21-year-old Vernon woman, who was the only other occupant, was located nearby with minor injuries.

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“She was transported to a local hospital where she was treated and has since been released,” O’Donaghey added.

RCMP Central Okanagan Traffic Services believes the car may have been travelling north on the highway between 1 and 2 a.m.Thursday, and are asking any witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with any information, or dash-cam video is asked to contact RCMP Central Okanagan Traffic Services (COTS) at 250-491-5354 and cite file 2019-5516.

The B.C. Coroner’s Service is also investigating the death.

“Due to the privacy of the deceased, his name will not be released,” said O’Donaghey.

by Pete McIntyre

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