Broadsided by logging truck

Photo: DriveBC

A Kelowna woman is lucky to be alive after she was broadsided by a logging truck on the William R. Bennet Bridge Sunday night.

West Kelowna RCMP responded after a woman called police to report that she was trapped inside her car, about 9:39 p.m.

Const. Jesse O’Donaghey said emergency crews arrived on scene to discover the 20-year-old woman had managed to escape the vehicle unharmed, but her grey Mazda 3 sustained significant damage down the driver’s side and was towed from the scene.

Police have determined that a Kenworth logging truck and the Mazda were westbound on the bridge when the semi sideswiped the car as it pulled into the right-hand slow lane from the centre lane.

The driver of the Kenworth was identified as a 53-year-old Revelstoke man.

“RCMP would like to ensure that motorists are aware that commercial vehicles have larger blind spots than passenger vehicles,” said O’Donaghey.

“Driving alongside a commercial vehicle can be dangerous. Drivers should consider slowing down to allow these vehicles to pull ahead or pass them when it is safe to do so.”

He added that both commercial and personal vehicle drivers are urged to properly signal their lane change.

Witnesses are asked to contact West Kelowna RCMP at 250-768-2880.