Christmas morning crash on Carmi Avenue claims a man's life

Carmi crash claims a life

Photo: Google Maps

Penticton RCMP have confirmed a Christmas-morning crash on Carmi Avenue was fatal.

At approximately 11:45 a.m. on Dec. 25, an SUV veered off Carmi Road and went down an embankment, where it got lodged against some trees.

When police and medical personnel arrived, they found a deceased 63-year-old man inside the vehicle.

"Evidence at the scene suggest the driver drove straight off the left side of Carmi Avenue, and down the embankment," says Const. James Grandy.

"The driver was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision. There was no obvious indication that intoxication was a factor. He was the only occupant of the vehicle."

The BC Coroners Service is conducting an investigation to confirm the cause of death.

Social media reports and friends of the family have identified the victim as John Reynen, a well-known and beloved Penticton businessman.