UPDATE 3:15 p.m Police have confirmed one fatality in a crash early this morning on Highway 97 in West Kelowna. An off-duty RCMP officer on his way to work came across the crash at 4:55 a.m. at Boucherie Street and Highway 97. A loaded logging truck was stopped at a red light in the northbound lane of Highway 97 when a black 2008 Dodge Caliber rear-ended the logging truck, causing significant damage and fatally injuring the car’s sole occupant. The driver of the logging truck is cooperating with police and there is no criminal investigation. The deceased is a 53-year-old resident of Kelowna. RCMP Victim Services is engaged and supporting the family. “It was a horrific motor vehicle collision that left a family grieving the loss of their father. The RCMP would like to thank all the first responders who attended this difficult scene,” said Const. Mike Della-Paolera. Investigators are asking if anyone witnessed this incident or may have dashcam video to contact the West Kelowna RCMP at (250)768-2880. UPDATE 9:23 a.m Traffic on Highway 97 in West Kelowna is now back to normal after an early morning crash near the intersection of Boucherie Rd. An SUV collided with a logging truck at the intersection. According to eyewitness reports from the scene, at least one person had to be removed from the vehicle and taken to hospital. UPDATE 7:32 a.m Traffic on Highway 97 near Boucherie Rd. in West Kelowna is moving again after a crash early Monday morning. The turn lane at Boucherie Rd. remains affected and RCMP are on scene directing traffic, but Kelowna-bound vehicles are experiencing delays/ ORIGINAL 6:15 am Highway 97 Northbound in West Kelowna is slow after a crash near Boucherie Rd. Emergency crews responded after a small SUV collided with the back of a logging truck. Shannon Hyde tells Castanet she was on her way to work when she saw the crash, “myself and some other people witnessed a Dodge Caliber rear end the logging truck at the corner of Highway 97 and Boucherie this morning at 5:00 I am,” says Hyde. Hyde says he jumped into action and tried to save the person trapped in the vehicle, “myself and someone else tried to get him out of the car and give him first aid, but I couldn’t get him out of the car.” says Hyde. Traffic in the area continues to be affected by the collision.
