At 3 p.m. Monday, RCMP confirmed that the driver of the beige Ford sedan, who was deceased at the scene, had been identified as a 73-year-old woman from Beaverdell.
Preliminary findings indicate that the woman was partially ejected from the vehicle during the collision as she was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Her passenger, a 21-year-old man also of Beaverdell, sustained non-life threatening injuries and was treated in hospital.
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The RCMP’s Central Okanagan Traffic Services (COTS) are investigating a fatal injury head on crash that occurred early Monday morning on Highway 33 East.
On March 21 at 8:29 a.m., the Kelowna RCMP received reports of a serious injury head on collision on Highway 33 East approximately 25 kilometres south of Big White Road in the Carmi area.
"Preliminary findings at the scene suggest that a southbound Mazda van had crossed the centre line, to pass a semi-tractor trailer, when it collided head on with an older beige Ford 4-door sedan passenger car," said Const. Jesse O'Donaghey, in a press release.
"The Ford sedan rolled down an embankment and further impacted a tree."
The driver of the beige Ford sedan was pronounced deceased at the scene. The second occupant, a passenger of the Ford sedan was taken to hospital with unclassified injuries. The driver has not yet been positively identified, therefore the driver’s age and gender are being withheld pending the proper identification and subsequent notification of next of kin.
Mounties say the two occupants of the Mazda van sustained serious non-life threatening injuries as a result of the crash. They were both transported to hospital in stable condition.
The highway remains closed in both directions at this time while an RCMP Collision Reconstructionist conducts a detailed analysis of the scene. Police estimate that the highway will remain closed for an additional hour and a half.
The exact causal factors of this crash are not yet known, said O'Donaghey.
RCMP Central Okanagan Traffic Services (COTS) and the RCMP Integrated Collision Analyst and Reconstructionist Services (ICARS), 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 RCMP Central Okanagan Traffic Services at 250-980-5353.
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The Kelowna RCMP and Central Okanagan Traffic Services (COTS) are responding to reports of a serious injury head on crash on Highway 33.
On March 21, at 8:29 a.m., the Kelowna RCMP received reports of a serious injury head on crash on Highway 33 in the Carmi area.
"The highway is closed at this time," said Const. Jesse O'Donaghey, in a press release. "Police are asking motorists to make alternate travel arrangements to avoid the area or expect traffic delays while police investigate this crash."
If you witnessed this crash and have not yet spoken to police you are asked to contact RCMP Central Okanagan Traffic Services at 250-980-5353. Remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, leaving a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net or by texting your tip to CRIMES (274637) ktown.