Submitted by Sgt. G.D. Simpson
January 6
A 53-year-old Airdrie, Alta., male called police reporting that he was travelling southbound on Highway 5 in a blizzard, near white-out conditions, when he ran into the trailer of a semi truck driving approximately 20km/h.
The semi never stopped, however the Airdrie man and his vehicle, a black 2018 GMC pick-up, spun around and ended up facing westbound in the northbound lane, partially in the ditch. His vehicle was not driveable and blocking a portion of the north bound lane. The pickup was towed by the local tow company.
The accident appeared to be a direct result of poor road conditions. It is very likely the back of the semi was covered in snow and the lights were not visible. No accident report was required.
The complainant was travelling to Clearwater for work and was given a ride into town by Cpl. McGeorge.
A 25-year-old Surrey man called police reporting he stopped at a semi that had gone into the ditch on its side in Blue River. The driver was uninjured and the truck was off the road. The complainant advised that he was giving the driver a ride into Blue River to get a room and get sorted out.
Heavy snow fall and white-out conditions played a contributing factor in the incident. It was determined that it was not safe to attend or have the vehicle towed due to snow and zero visibility. As such Cpl. McGeorge did not attend, however spoke to the 30-year-old Abbotsford man who was driving, who advised he was “cut off” by another vehicle and swerved over and got pulled into the deep snow. This then caused the semi to head into the ditch and it rolled onto it’s side.
The driver advised he was hauling peat moss and would talk to his boss and arrange a tow in the morning when the weather improved.
January 8
A 47-year-old Wataskwin, Alta., man called reporting a hit-and-run to his semi truck, advising that a Bison transport truck pulled out from beside him and smashed his drivers side mirror and broke antennas off his rig.
The driver of the offending semi never stopped.
Cpl. McGeorge followed up with the complainant once on shift and was advised that he located the driver in Kamloops at the rest area and they exchanged information as the offending driver was unaware he had clipped the complainants rig.
Minor damage, parties exchanged information, so further police action was unnecessary.
Clearwater RCMP responded to 50 calls for service this past week.
Sgt. G.D. Simpson is the detachment commander at the Clearwater RCMP Detachment. Anyone with information on a crime is encouraged to call Clearwater RCMP at 250-674-2237 or, to report anonymously, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
newsroom@clearwatertimes.com
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