Fatal crash on the 97C Okanagan Connector outside of West Kelowna

WEST KELOWNA – A man died in a serious chain reaction collision on the Highway 97C Okanagan Connector just outside of West Kelowna.

On Oct. 6 at 7:13 p.m. emergency crews were called to the scene of a serious multiple vehicle collision that involved five vehicles on the 97C Okanagan Connector, according to a Kelowna RCMP release issued today, Oct. 7.

Emergency crews were called to the scene with reports of serious injuries that blocked the eastbound lanes of Highway 97 C near the Trepanier Road off-ramp. When the RCMP arrived on scene, they found a severely damaged black Jeep Wrangler laying on its driver’s side.

The spokesperson for the Kelowna Regional Detachment Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey said, "witnesses told police that the driver of the Jeep Wrangler was broadside by an eastbound red Dodge Ram pickup truck."

Police believe to gain access to an emergency services access road, the operator of the Jeep attempted to make a left hand turn across both lanes.

The initial crash started a chain reaction that also involved a passing red Mazda Tribute, a grey Ford F250 and a white GMC Sierra pickup truck. Each vehicle sustained moderate to extensive damage.

“The lone occupant of the black Jeep Wrangler was rushed from the scene of the crash, to an area hospital by B.C. Ambulance Service,” says Cpl. O’Donaghey. “Sadly the 58-year-old man, from the northwest coast of BC, succumbed to his injuries in hospital.”

Emergency paramedics medically assessed and treated a total of eight occupants of the remaining four vehicles involved in the crash. The eight people were released at the scene.

The eastbound lanes of 97C were closed for more than seven hours as a collision reconstructionist, with the RCMP Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Services examined the scene of the crash.

The RCMP are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash, and has not yet spoken to police, is asked to contact the West Kelowna RCMP 250-768-2880.

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