Fiery crash on Trans Canada near Spences Bridge claims a life

KAMLOOPS – A man is dead after a crash between a semi and a pickup truck on Highway 1 near Spences Bridge yesterday afternoon.

RCMP say at about 2:55 p.m., Nov. 22, a northbound Ford pickup truck hit a southbound semi hauling a load of lumber head-on, killing the driver of the pickup. The crash happened about five kilometres southwest of Spences Bridge.

The driver of the semi was taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries, according to a RCMP media release.

“As a result of the collision a fire started in the commercial vehicle (and) spread to nearby hydro poles,” Sgt. Mike Pears says in the release. “The Trans Canada Highway was closed for several hours to allow for the investigation to take place and the fire to burn out.”

Investigators are working to figure out why the driver of the pickup crossed into the path of the semi, Pears says. Weather and road conditions weren’t factors in the crash.

If you witnessed the collision and have not spoken to investigators please contact Cpl. Andrew West of the Central Interior Traffic Services unit in Ashcroft at 250-453-2216.

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