Three people died and two others were critically injured in a three-vehicle collision near Clearwater on Highway 5 Wednesday, March 1.
Clearwater RCMP detachment commander Sgt. Grant Simpson said the triple fatality is heartbreaking.
“Anytime there is loss of life it’s tragic,” Simpson said Monday, noting police are still trying to determine the exact relationship between the victims, two of whom were recent refugee immigrants.
The collision occurred at 10:56 a.m. in the 3300 block of Highway 5. The initial police investigation determined a southbound Ford F-150 pickup truck from Alberta driven by a man in his 40s crossed over the center line and side-swiped a Ford F550 truck hauling a trailer before colliding head on with a Ford Escape.
Weather and road conditions were ruled out as factors in the collision.
A man, woman, and teenage boy in the SUV died on scene, and the other two occupants in the same vehicle sustained serious injuries and transported to hospital, Simpson confirmed.
The driver of the Ford F550 was not injured. BC Highway Patrol - Clearwater is continuing the investigation to determine why the driver crossed over the center line. Simpson said he expects to forward several charges to Crown for their consideration against the driver of the F-150 truck, who was taken to hospital and treated and released.
Highway 5 was closed for several hours as police investigated, gathered evidence, and recovered the vehicles involved.
Simpson noted several motorists, witnesses and first responders did whatever they could to help on scene, including retired RCMP officer and current fire chief Mike Savage and his members of the Blackpool Volunteer Fire Department and road safety unit.
“I can’t say enough about the good that they do, and did at that scene.”
Simpson also commended the BC Emergency Health Services ground and air crew for their efforts.
“They are very professional and helpful … and jump in and get to work at saving lives.”
Anyone with information regarding the collision, including anyone with dashboard camera video of pre-collision driving, is asked to contact BC Highway Patrol Kamloops at 250-828-3111.
This latest Highway 5 collision brings the number of lives lost to five in just under one month on the stretch of Highway 5 between Barriere and Clearwater.
On Feb. 9 a man in his 20s was killed when his vehicle was hit by the trailer of a semi-truck that crossed the centre line on a sharp corner in Louis Creek.
A collision on Thursday, Feb. 2 on Highway 5 near McLure also claimed the life of one person. The BC RCMP Highway Patrol said that death occurred after two semi-trailers collided between Kealty Road and McLure Ferry Road.
As a result of the increased number of collisions involving commercial vehicles, Simpson said CVSE has stepped up enforcement along Highway 5 from Barriere to Valemount.
“They are helping out a tremendous amount.”
Simpson believes mandatory dashcams could help change driving behaviours and reduce fatalities.
The deaths have also prompted local leaders to air concerns over safety on Highway 5, which is the main transportation corridor linking Alberta and Vancouver.
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