Speed believed to be factor in six-vehicle highway crash

Jul 16, 2020 | 10:06 AM

Police say it’s fortunate there were no fatalities after a six-vehicle crash on the Trans Canada Highway 10 kilometres west of Sicamous Wednesday night.

A semi hauling grocery products failed to negotiate a turn around 6:30 p.m.

Investigators say there were heavy brake marks at the scene, about 50 meters in length, which began in the westbound lane of the highway and then crossed the double solid line into the oncoming lane.

The semi-tractor trailer unit then flipped onto its side and skidded down the highway for another 50 meters before it finally came to rest after striking an eastbound semi. The semi-truck and trailer also impacted three eastbound pickup trucks and one eastbound SUV causing extensive damage to the three pickups.

The driver of the westbound semi, a 32-year-old Calgary man, was taken to hospital by BC Emergency Health Services with what police believe to be non-life threatening injuries. Three other adults were also transported by ambulance to hospital, all suffering from non-life threatening injuries.

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Although no evidence was found to suggest that impairment was a factor in the crash, investigators suspect speed may have been a contributing factor to the collision. Weather, road conditions, and visibility were all excellent at the time of the collision. Police charged the driver with crossing a double solid line under the BC Motor Vehicle Act.

“This narrow two lane section of the highway has a rock wall on the eastbound ditch and a steep drop behind the concrete barrier on the western ditch,” said Sgt. Murray McNeil, Sicamous RCMP Detachment Commander. “It is extremely fortunate that this collision did not result in multiple fatalities considering the length the truck traveled before finally coming to a stop and the extent of the damage sustained to all the impacted vehicles.”

The crash, which blocked both lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway and resulted in a closure and detour route. It has since been cleared.

by Pete McIntyre

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