Highway 97 collision claims one life

CHETWYND- Update: RCMP now confirm that the deceased was a resident of Prince George. His name will not be released.

Earlier: Police are looking for information on a fatal collision that occurred outside of Chetwynd yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon. At approximately 12:50 pm, Chetwynd RCMP and Emergency Services responded to the incident on Highway 97 approximately 25 km north of Chetwynd in the East Pine area. The road was closed for several hours after the incident, but it has since reopened.

Upon arrival, it was determined that a northbound pickup, which was legally overtaking a transport truck in the passing lane, collided with a southbound transport truck. The southbound transport truck was going downhill in a sharp curve at low speed due to poor road and weather conditions at the time when it lost control and its trailer slid out into the path of the oncoming pickup truck.

The driver of the pickup truck, a man in his forties from northern BC, died in the collision. A passenger in the pickup truck, identified as the driver’s son, escaped with only minor injuries, as did the drivers of the transport trucks involved.