Impaired driver discovered after Kelowna crash

KELOWNA – No one was seriously hurt but police say it could have been a Christmas tragedy.

Kelowna RCMP was called to the scene of a crash on Highway 97 near Banks Road shortly before 9:30 last night, Dec. 21, Const. Jesse O'Donaghey says in a news release. The 51-year-old driver of a grey 2003 Honda Odyssey was trying to make a lane change from the centre lane into the left hand fast lane when he was struck from behind by the 27-year-old driver of a 1995 green Toyota Corolla. The driver of the Odyssey and his 46-year-old passenger, both from Lake Country, suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene, O'Donaghey says.

When police arrived, they noticed signs the driver of the Corolla was impaired by alcohol. A roadside breath exam was taken and the driver failed. He failed another exam at the detachment and now faces impaired driving charges. O'Donaghey says he was also examined for suspected drug use but no results were reported.

"This crash had the potential to end in a Christmas tragedy," O'Donaghey says. "The force of the collision caused the Honda Odyssey van to land partially in the oncoming fast lane of the highway. A third vehicle was forced to take evasive action to avoid a second and potentially fatal collision.

"Kelowna RCMP wish to remind the public that CounterAttack Road Checks are on now. The Kelowna RCMP will continue working hard to remove dangerous impaired drivers from our roadways, and urge motorists to plan ahead for a safe ride home."

To contact a reporter for this story, email Marshall Jones at mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.