CHECK BLINDSPOTS: Police caution drivers after small car seriously damaged by logging truck

KELOWNA – A Kelowna woman may be lucky to be alive after her vehicle was hit by a logging truck leaving her partially trapped in her car while trying to cross the bridge into West Kelowna last night.

Kelowna RCMP say the driver of the car was westbound on the William R. Bennett Bridge around 9:39 p.m., Oct. 17. The logging truck attempted to move from the middle lane to the right hand slow lane and side-swiped the car, causing significant damage to the driver's side of the car.

“RCMP would like to ensure that motorists are aware that commercial vehicles have larger blind spots than passenger vehicles,” Const. Jesse O’Donaghey said in a release. “Driving alongside a commercial vehicle can be dangerous. Driver’s should consider slowing down to allow these vehicles to pull ahead or pass them when it is safe to do so. Both commercial vehicle and personal vehicle drivers are urged to take the extra time and precautions to ensure they clear their blind spots of any vehicles and properly signal their lane change."

No one was injured, but the woman was briefly trapped in her grey Mazda 3.

If you witnessed this crash and have not yet spoken to police you are asked to contact the West Kelowna RCMP at 250-768-2880.

— A major correction to this story was added Oct. 18 at 10:11 a.m. Thanks to reader comments, we clarified that it was, in fact, the logging truck that changed lanes from centre to the righthand lane, sideswiping the car. Incorrect information originally appeared.

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