BC Highway Patrol is looking into a fatal crash that happened along Highway 3/93 near Wardner on Saturday.
RCMP officials said first responders were sent out July 1 at around 11:30 p.m.
Cranbrook RCMP, BC Highway Patrol, and BC Highway Patrol’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Services (BCHP CARS) were on the scene.
BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS), BC Coroner’s Service, Fire Rescue, and Ministry of Transportation were also on the scene.
Investigators determined that a Mazda CX-5 was travelling west on Highway 3/93 when an eastbound pickup truck crossed the centre line, leading to a head-on collision.
“Tragically, the driver of the Mazda CX-5 was pronounced deceased at the scene,” said RCMP officials. “The passenger of the CX-5 was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries while the driver of the pickup truck was transported to hospital with serious injuries.”
Highway 3/93 was closed while investigators and first responders were on the scene.
The investigation is led by Cranbrook’s division of the BC Highway Patrol.
RCMP officials said details regarding the vehicles’ occupants will not be released for now.
“While all avenues of investigation are being considered, impaired driving has not been ruled out as a causal factor,” said the RCMP.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or may have dashcam footage of the accident is asked to contact the BC Highway Patrol – Cranbrook at 250-420-4244.
Two other fatal accidents happened across the region in the last week.
One happened the next day, on July 2, which police suspect could be the result of foul play, while the other also happened near Wardner on July 4.
More: Weekend crash being investigated as foul play (July 5, 2023)
More: BC Highway Patrol investigating serious July 4 crash (July 5, 2023)