Crash suspect a teen

UPDATE: 4:15 p.m.

A 22-year-old Kelowna man remains in hospital on Wednesday after he was hit while driving on Leathead Road by a youth driver in a stolen truck. 

Police tell Castanet News the victim is in serious, stable condition as of Wednesday afternoon. 

"He continues to undergo further medical assessment and ongoing treatment of his injuries at this time," said Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey.

A suspect stole the truck from a home in the Shannon Lake area of West Kelowna. 

Police say the suspect is an 18-year-old Kelowna youth who fled from the scene on foot. 

He was arrested and remains in police custody. 

- with files from Alanna Kelly

UPDATE: 11:15 a.m.

Kelowna RCMP continue to investigate a serious collision in Rutland this morning.

A portion of Leathead Road remains closed to allow a collision reconstruction expert to conduct a full examination of the scene.

Shortly after 7:30 a.m., a traffic officer came upon the crash scene on near Mcphee Street.

A stolen Ford F-150 pickup had crossed the centre line and collided nearly head on with a red Mitsubishi Outlander.

Firefighters were needed to safely extract the seriously injured Mitsubishi driver. 

“An area of containment was immediately established around the collision scene, and police service dog Ice ... was brought in to conduct a search,” says Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey. “A suspect was taken into custody, after being tracked by the police canine into the fenced compound of a nearby commercial property.”

The truck had been reported stolen from the Shannon Lake area of West Kelowna. Its owner was tracking the truck’s position through GPS, and police were patrolling for the vehicle when the crash happened.

Any witnesses to the crash are asked to call Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300, CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a tip at www.crimestoppers.net.

UPDATE: 10 a.m.

RCMP confirm a serious collision that has Leathead Road closed in Kelowna involved a stolen truck.

Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey says a stolen Ford pickup veered into oncoming traffic while attempting a getaway from the scene of the theft. It collided with a red Mitsubishi SUV before police could respond to the incident.

The male driver of the SUV was rushed to Kelowna General Hospital with "significant, life-threatening injuries."

Police scoured the area and arrested a male suspect who fled the crash on foot.

The man has minor injuries and is in police custody.

Photo: Alanna Kelly

Collision analysis officer investigates scene of serious collision in Kelowna.

UPDATE: 9 a.m.

Kelowna RCMP have closed off Leathead Road between McPhee and Franklyn after a collision between an SUV and a pickup truck right in front of S & Z Auto Sales at 990 Leathead Rd.

The burgundy Mitsubishi SUV sustained serious damage to the driver's side front of the vehicle and came to rest in the driveway of the dealership. The white Ford pickup also sustained serious damage and it came to rest almost a block away.

RCMP remain on the scene directing traffic as of 9 a.m.

ORIGINAL: 7:48 a.m.

A tipster has alerted the Castanet newsroom that there is a major emergency response on Leathead Road between Hollywood Road and Highway 97.

The caller indicated a major RCMP presence with lights flashing, BC Ambulance and fire crews.

There appears to be a traffic slowdown around Ben Lee Park and the caller indicated RCMP are closing Leathead as of 7:45 a.m.

More coming...