On February 11, at 11:02 a.m., the Kelowna RCMP responded to a chain reaction collision, involving a total of four vehicles, at the intersection of Lawrence Avenue and Ellis Street in Kelowna’s downtown.
Police determined that a white Toyota Rav4 was northbound on Ellis Street when it struck a grey Hyundia Sonata from behind.
Police believe that the driver of the Hyundai failed to signal when she suddenly decided to make a left turn at the intersection, and that the driver of the Toyota mistakenly pressed their accelerator instead of the brakes, which started the chain reaction.
It is also suspected that, after being rear ended, the driver of the Hyundai also pressed her accelerator in error. The Hyundai veered through the intersection, across the pedestrian walkway, and over a cement barrier, which caused the vehicle to roll onto its side.
The Hyundai continued on its side where it then collided with and came to rest on a third vehicle in the parking lot. The force of the crash caused the parked vehicle to push against and damage another vehicle parked in the lot.
The driver of the Hyundai, a 69-year-old Kelowna woman, was assisted from her vehicle by emergency crews. She sustained minor injuries in the crash, and was treated at the scene by paramedics. The driver of the Toyota, a 30-year-old Kelowna woman, was not injured in the crash.
“Police interviewed several witnesses at the scene,” said Const. Jesse O’Donaghey. “Thankfully no pedestrians were involved in this collision, which occurred at a regularly busy downtown intersection.
"Police would like to remind motorists to look ahead, plan your turns in advance and always use your signals,” added O’Donaghey.
Alcohol is not being considered a factor in this crash, and charges are not being recommended at this time.