Crash claims life of Okanagan driver

A Lake Country man died in crash on the highway south of Vernon.

Police and other emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle collision on Highway 97 at Birnie Road around 8:15 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15.

“One of the vehicles, a small Toyota pick-up truck, had caught fire and was fully engulfed in flames when emergency personnel arrived,” said Constable Chris Terleski, media relations officer.

The driver, and lone occupant of the pick-up truck, was pronounced dead at the scene and has been identified as a 41-year-old Lake Country man. The driver of the commercial vehicle suffered non-life threatening injuries.

“According to the initial investigation, the collision occurred when the pick-up truck, travelling northbound on Highway 97, crossed into the southbound lanes and was struck by a large, commercial vehicle driving southbound on Highway 97,” said Terleski.

Highway 97 was closed for about four hours for the investigaiton and other work.

Anyone who witnessed the collision, or has dash-cam video, is asked to contact the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP at (250) 545-7171.