February 04, 2013 - 1:15 PM
A West Kelowna woman was killed while attempting to help others injured in an accident near Hope.
Officers from the Fraser Valley RCMP raced to the scene of a multi-vehicle collision on Hwy 5, 35 km north of Hope last evening. At about 6:30 p.m., a 2008 Toyota, a 2008 Ford and a 2007 International commercial vehicle hauling lumber were all traveling south near the Zobkis brake check when the collision occurred. They each came to rest on the traveled portion of the roadway, as well as the shoulder.
The Ford was transporting two forty-year-old men from Kamloops. The 54-year-old woman from West Kelowna was a passenger in the commercial truck. They all left their vehicles to offer medical assistance to the injured Toyota occupants; a 66-year old woman and a 67-year-old man.
A 2008 Chevrolet driven by a 62-year-old West Kelowna man then drove through the accident scene, smashing into the Toyota which in turn hit the woman. The two men from Kamloops were able to leap out of the way, but the woman suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital in Hope where she later died. Her 59-year-old husband of four months witnessed the crash.
The driver of the Chevrolet stopped for a moment further down the road but left the scene and immediately turned himself in at the RCMP detachment. Police say he is cooperating with investigators.
Reports in the early stages of the investigation reveal it was snowing at the time of the accident and that may have been a factor, along with driver inattention. Speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors at this time.
The Fraser RCMP, the B.C. Coroners Service and collision analysis team are continuing their investigation.
The woman's identity will not be revealed until next of kin is notified.
Anyone who witnessed this accident is asked to call Const. Laszlo Bali of the Fraser Valley Traffic Services at 604-702-4039.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013