Photo: Darren Handschuh

A backup at a laboratory used by the North Okanagan RCMP and other detachments is holding up an investigation into a fatal crash on Highway 6 that occurred almost one year ago.

On March 6, two young women, Grindrod resident Carlee De Boer, 21, and Paige Whitelaw, 21, from Ladysmith, were killed in the single-vehicle accident on Highway 6 near Waddington Drive.

Three others, including the 21-year-old driver, survived.

Shortly after the crash, police said charges were being considered.

"Unfortunately, our labs are pretty backed up," said Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy, RCMP spokesperson. "We're in the queue."

When asked about the matter in November, Noseworthy said investigators were still waiting for all of the evidence to be processed.