Crashed while trying to flee

Photo: David Ogilvie

UPDATE: April 14

Not wanting to get caught driving without insurance has landed a West Kelowna woman in a far worse situation.

West Kelowna RCMP received a report just before 9 p.m. Wednesday of a hit and run crash on the 3300 block of Old Okanagan Highway.

“The suspect vehicle, a grey Jeep Cherokee, had allegedly failed to stop in time when it struck the rear of an eastbound black Chevrolet Cruze, which had slowed to allow another vehicle to complete a left turn,” says Const. Jesse O'Donaghey.

He says the driver of the Jeep fled the scene after failing to stop and exchange information with the other driver.

The Cruze driver decided to hunt the Jeep driver to get a licence plate and was following in hot pursuit, when he happened upon an unexpected scene.

“The driver of the Chevrolet located the Jeep, which appeared to have failed to negotiate a sharp turn and proceeded off the right side of the road,” says O'Donaghey.

“The Jeep struck several trees and posts prior to impacting a hydro pole in front of the BC Ambulance Station.”

O'Donaghey says the Jeep sustained significant damage, including having several wooden posts puncture the front windshield into the passenger compartment.

“Surprisingly, the driver, a 37-year-old West Kelowna woman, suffered relatively minor non-life-threatening injuries,” says O'Donaghey who adds that she was taken to hospital by nearby paramedics.

While police are still investigating, O'Donaghey says early findings show that the Jeep may have had expired insurance.

Charges have not yet been laid.

ORIGINAL: April 13

Emergency crews rushed to help after a Jeep crashed into a power pole in West Kelowna.

The serious single-vehicle crash happened just before 9 p.m. Wednesday at Lower Glenrosa Road and Delray Road.

The condition of the driver is unclear.