Black ice blamed for rollover on Okanagan Connector

WEST KELOWNA – Two women weren’t hurt despite the SUV they were in rolling after hitting a patch of black ice on Highway 97C early this morning.

RCMP say emergency crews were called to the rollover on the Okanagan Connector at Brenda Mines around 6 a.m., March 24.

The westbound Nissan Pathfinder hit black ice, drove into a snow bank and rolled over, according to a media release.

The 67-year-old West Kelowna resident behind the wheel of the SUV was trapped in the wreck and her 47-year-old passenger, also from West Kelowna, was able to get herself out on her own, police say. Neither woman was hurt.

"Police have confirmed that the tires on the vehicle at the time of the crash were in fact winter tires in fair condition," Const. Jesse O'Donaghey says in the release.

O'Donaghey says the RCMP are reminding drivers travelling through mountain passes this Easter long weekend to drive according to conditions, and make sure they have the appropriate tires or equipment for their vehicles.

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