West Kelowna – RCMP and the BC Coroners Service are investigating a fatal collision which occurred late Wednesday evening in West Kelowna.
On September 28, at 10:37 p.m., emergency services crews responded to a single vehicle collision in the northbound lanes of Highway 97 South near Gorman’s Mill in West Kelowna. Preliminary findings at the scene suggest that the blue Ford F150 pickup left the roadway into the ditch where the vehicle collided with a rock face, before it continued down the roadway where it came to rest in the centre median of the highway.
“Witnesses at the scene reported that the pickup truck caught fire after leaving the roadway,” says Const. Jesse O’Donaghey. “A blaze which was extinguished by employees of the nearby Gorman’s Mill who were quick to respond to the scene,” he adds.
The driver of the pickup, who may not have been wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, was ejected from the vehicle. He was found to be suffering from serious injuries and rushed to hospital in critical condition, where he sadly later succumbed to those injuries.
"The driver has been identified by investigators as a 24-year-old West Kelowna man, however his name will not be released at this time," said Const. O'Donaghey.
The highway was closed in both directions for period of time to allow a collision re-constructionist with the RCMP Integrated Collision Analyst and Reconstruction Services (ICARS) to conduct a detailed analysis of the scene.
The West Kelowna RCMP along with the RCMP Integrated Collision Analyst and Reconstructionist Services continue to assist the BC Coroner’s Service in this investigation.
If you witnessed this crash and have not yet spoken to police you are asked to contact the West Kelowna RCMP at 250-768-2880.