BC

A 22-year-old Kamloops man is in critical condition on life support at Royal Inland Hospital after his 1999 Chevrolet Caviler skidded off the east bound Trans Canada Highway just east of the Columbia St. overpass around 7:15 AM today.

The driver was the lone occupant of the east bound vehicle when it went out of control to the left and rolled down a 10-metre embankment before landing on its wheels in the vacant field behind the Accent Inn. BC Ambulance Paramedics and Kamloops Fire and Rescue were on scene to provide emergency care to the driver before he was rushed to hospital with severe chest and head trauma.

Roads were wet and slippery at the time of the crash with a thin sheen still visible on the overpass when other emergency vehicles arrived on scene. The east bound lane of the Trans Canada Highway was shut down for several hours while an RCMP Traffic Re-construction Expert examined and surveyed the scene. A full mechanical inspection of the vehicle will be conducted as part of the ongoing investigation.

Investigators would like to speak with anyone who witnessed the crash and in particular, with the young man who stopped and attended to the driver immediately after the crash, then assisted the BCAS crews on scene. The good Samaritan left before police had an opportunity to interview him.

Kamloops RCMP remind drivers that winter driving conditions are becoming more prevalent as overnight subzero temperatures combine with wet conditions to create compact snow, ice and black ice conditions. Drivers must slow down, leave extra manoeuvring room between vehicles and be even more attentive in their driving.

The safe driving habits of winter also include leaving earlier for your destination, specifically to give yourself more driving time on route to minimize the urge to rush while driving.

Anyone with information about this crash is asked to contact Cst. Mackenzie of the Kamloops RCMP Traffic Section at 250-828-3000