A man in his 70s from northern B.C. was killed in a crash on Highway 1 yesterday, five kilometres north of Hope.
Corporal Mike Halskov with RCMP Traffic Services says the man was in a northbound car when it crossed the centre line and hit a southbound fuel truck carrying diesel.
The fuel truck driver was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
The crash happened on a stretch of four-lane highway with a solid centre line, Halskov says, adding it was snowing out and road conditions were “slushy.”
He says impairment was not likely a factor but other causes, such as speed, are being investigated.
“It was a good stretch of highway, we just don’t know why this happened, at this time. Other factors we can consider is a medical event prior to the crash itself, as being a factor. But that will all come out as part of the investigation.”
Highway 1 was closed for more than 12 hours after, while a travel advisory and a winter storm warning was in place on both other mountain highways out of Hope.
“Anyone trying to get out, or come into, the Lower Mainland was kind of stuck for a period of time. We can expect these kind of winter storms to affect our highways and mountain passes. We just advise drivers, if they have to drive, exercise caution. And if they don’t have to travel in bad weather, then consider delaying your plans or taking an alternate route.”
Meanwhile, HAZMAT crews who attended the crash have indicated there was no fuel spilled from the tanker truck into the environment.
– with files from Colton Davies
REMINDER – CLOSED – #BCHwy1 in
both directions between #HopeBC and #BostonBar due to a vehicle incident. Assessment in progress. Estimated opening unavailable, consider using #BCHwy5 as an alternate route. More info here: https://t.co/YDXbFVGTS1— Drive BC (@DriveBC) January 6, 2020
