A 38-year-old died as a result of an accident on Highway 5 between two tractor units four kilometers south of Merritt.
It was previously reported that the southbound lanes on Highway 5 were closed for approximately 14 hours after the collision at 4 p.m. on February 17.
According to the RCMP, the collision occurred after two tractor units driving in the southbound lanes collided while ascending a hill.
Authorities believe that one of the utility vehicles was traveling in the right lane at a relatively slow speed. The second vehicle collided with the rear of the first while trying to overtake on the left.
“The damage to the passenger compartment of the cabin in connection with the overtaking commercial vehicle was described by the investigators as catastrophic. Tragically, a passenger who is believed to be in the tractor’s sleeping car was thrown out of the cab and pronounced dead at the scene, ”said Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey with BCMP in the Southeast District of BC, February 18th morning.
Both drivers tried to save the 38-year-old passenger’s life. The drivers were taken to the hospital as a precaution.
BC Coroners Service will not disclose the deceased’s name.
If you witnessed this crash and have not spoken to the police or have dash cam footage of the collision, you will be asked to call the Merritt RCMP at 250-378-4262.
READ MORE: UPDATE: Highway 5 is heading south again after a vehicle accident
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Do you have anything to add to this story or anything else we should cover? Email: phil.mclachlan@kelownacapnews.com
@newspaperphil
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