Two car crashes Tuesday prompt public warning about road conditions
By Kyra Hoggan
Two separate MVIs Tuesday, within four km of each other, have underlined the hazardous seasonal road conditions.
Castlegar RCMP Sgt. Darren Oelke said the first call came in at 12:56 p.m. for a crash on Hwy 3 West, near College Creek Forest Service Road.
“The vehicle was driving on a straight stretch with a slight incline, hit a patch of ice, lost control, and went off road left into the ditch,” he said, adding the driver wasn’t injured and the vehicle sustained only minor damage.
“We were just clearing that one when the call came in that there was another just up the highway,” he said. “It was the same thing. Straight stretch, slight incline.
“Snow off the side of the road was melting and running onto the travelled area, and froze in a shaded area.
“This vehicle, too, went off road left. The truck struck a snowbank, rolled, then struck a large tree,” he said. “Luckily, it spun around so the tailgate hit the tree.”
And elderly Grand Forks couple was treated for minor injuries.
He said both crashes should serve as a cautionary tale for local motorists.
“The roads appear bare and dry, or just went – but we have a lot of ice, especially in shaded areas.”
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