Kamloops This Week
An accident on Tuesday afternoon, July 28, on Highway 5 North at Vinsulla has claimed one life and left three people in hospital in serious condition.
Vinsulla is 27 kilometres north of Kamloops.
Sgt. Mike Pears of the RCMP Central Interior Traffic Services said the two-vehicle collision occurred when the driver of a northbound pickup truck was attempting to turn left on to Kealty Road and steered into the path of a southbound Volkswagen Jetta carrying four people — two people in the front seats and two people in the back seats.
One passenger in the rear died at the scene, while the three remaining passengers were rushed to Royal Inland Hospital.
Pears said neither of the rear-seat passengers were wearing seatbelts.
“This collision is an unfortunate reminder of the devastating outcome on two fronts,” Pears said. “The importance of yielding to oncoming traffic when making a turn and the need to wear seatbelts to reduce injury and prevent death.”
Tuesday’s accident was the second fatal crash to occur on Highway 5 North last week.
A 23-year-old man died on Sunday morning, July 26, when his southbound vehicle left Highway 5 North at Heffley Creek.
Kamloops RCMP Sgt. Michael Buxton-Carr said the crash occurred at about 5:10 a.m.
A southbound car left the highway and flipped several times. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene.
While the investigation into the cause of the accident continues, Buxton-Carr said speed is believed to have played a part.