Speed factor in park crash

Photo: Sarah Mammel

Police say both speed and alcohol contributed to a spectacular crash Sunday evening near the entrance to William R. Bennett Bridge.

The vehicle, according to witnesses, was travelling in a "dangerous manner" and at excessive speeds estimated at about 150 km/h.

Const. Lesley Smith says evidence collected at the scene indicate the driver lost control, and was unable to negotiate the curve alongside Kelowna City Park.

The vehicle skidded for 200 feet, left the road, crashed through shrubbery, damaged a light standard, destroyed about 100 feet of chain link fence, rolled down an embankment, sheared off an electrical box and came to rest wedged against a tree in the park.

Debris and vehicle parts were strewn over a large debris field.

“Police have identified the three occupants inside the vehicle, who were assisted out of the wreckage by witnesses on scene,” says Smith.

None of the occupants, aged 25, 32 and 32, wore seatbelts, and "miraculously did not suffer any life threatening injuries," says Smith.

"It was also extremely lucky that no one else was involved in the collision as that location is highly populated with motor vehicle traffic and pedestrians.”

Police are trying to determine which occupant was operating the vehicle. Witnesses have said the driver ran from the scene.