RCMP confirms that a person has died from the serious crash that closed Highway 97 just outside Penticton on Saturday.
The highway was closed in both directions for five hours after a three-vehicle collision.
The crash occurred around 1 p.m., south of Sandhill Road. Emergency vehicles were on scene for hours, and motorists experienced major delays in the area. Police said several people involved in the crash were taken to hospital via ambulance.
**#BcHwy97 Closed ** Major Vehicle Incident. Closed to traffic except emergency vehicles. Expect major delays. No local detour available at this time.https://t.co/xOnrrPq0uO@TranBC @TranBC_OKS @yyfpenticton @cityofpenticton @InfoNewsPentict
— AIMRoads (@AimRoads) October 23, 2021
Some witnesses driving along Highway 97 took to social media to say there was a person driving erratically and at high speeds before colliding with another vehicle. RCMP confirm that the sole occupant in a vehicle is the one who died. It’s not known at this time what the extent of the injuries are for the other victims involved.
Police plan to release more details about the fatal crash on Monday.
READ MORE: Roll over on Highway 97 near Kaleden
In 2020, a Penticton resident started a petition asking for a light at Highway 97 near the entrance into Penticton.
According to ICBC, there were 2,296 motor-vehicle incidents in 2019 in Penticton, with 137 crashes occurring on Highway 97.
READ MORE: Petition calls for traffic light at intersection of Highway 97 and Skaha Lake Road