Three people killed in two vehicle accident east of Merritt
By Nelson Daily Staff
RCMP Sgt. Mike Pears said three people are dead after a west bound U-Haul van collided with the rear of a commercial vehicle transporting crushed cars six kilometers east of Merritt Friday night.
RCMP from Merritt, BC Ambulance and Merritt Fire Rescue were called the the accident scene (November 6) at approximately 8:45 pm to a report of a two vehicle crash on Highway 5A/97C east of Merritt.
Sgt. Pears said RCMP can confirm a west bound U-Haul van with three occupants collided with the rear of a commercial vehicle transporting crushed cars.
“The commercial vehicle was traveling westbound in the right hand “slow” lane down Hamilton Hill and was approximately one kilometer west of the Hamilton Hill brake check,” Pears explained in a media release.
“It is unknown at this time why the west bound U-Haul van collided with the rear of the commercial vehicle. Visibility was good at the time the road was bare and dry.
“The trailer lights of the commercial vehicle were working and on at the time of the collision.”
Pears said the impact of the collision was so severe that the one female and two male occupants of the U-Haul were deceased at the scene.
The driver and passenger of the commercial vehicle were not injured.
Pears said collision investigation is continuing with members of the Central Interior Traffic Services Unit in Merritt assisting the BC Coroners Service.
Efforts are being made to positively identify the U-Haul’s occupants in order to notify next of kin.
RCMP are looking for public assistance to help in the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Central Interior Traffic Services unit in Merritt @ 250-378-4262.
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