Driver in accident had more than twice legal alcohol limit

By Jessica Wallace

A decision to buckle up may have saved the lives of two Kamloops residents who flipped their vehicle yesterday morning.

RCMP Staff Sgt. Grant Learned said an accident involving a 24-year-old male driver and 21-year-old female passenger who flipped a 1999 GMC Jimmy could have ended a lot worse.

"It doesn't appear either of them were ejected which would probably be a lifesaving element," Learned said, adding that seatbelts likely prevented ejection.

RCMP arrived on the scene at about 9:40 a.m. near Lac du Bois to discover the vehicle overturned and signs of impairment.

The driver was issued two breathalyzer tests.

"(He) registered more than twice the limit," Learned said.

RCMP later determined the vehicle was travelling about 120 kilometres per hour at the time of the crash. Learned said the vehicle is likely beyond repair, but the both the driver and the passenger avoided injury.

The driver was released on the promise to appear in court on impaired charges, March 25.

"He was also issued a three-month driving prohibition," Learned said.

To contact a reporter for this story, email: jwallace@infotelnews.ca or call (250) 319-7494.