By Greg Amos
Pioneer Staff
A single-vehicle rollover claimed the life of a 30-year-old Columbia Valley man near Spillimacheen on Monday, October 14th.
The accident happened at about 5:30 p.m., amidst good road conditions and visibility, said Sgt. Mike Pears of the RCMPs Trans Canada East Traffic Services.
The investigation continues, he said. Alcohol and the decision of the driver to not wear his seatbelt are factors that are being looked at into the cause of the untimely death of the 30-year-old male driver and area resident.
The 1992 green Acura sedan driven by the man left Highway 95 just north of Spillimacheen, and rolled after impacting the bank of the Cedared Creek.
The vehicle was northbound, and left the highway on a leftbound curve.
Looking at the accident, its consistent with someone not paying attention at a point, then doing a steering manoeuvre that causes them to go off the road but its hard to say at this point, said Sgt. Pears.
The vehicle launched through the air, came in contact with the other side of the creek bank, probably tumbled a couple times and ended up laying on the drivers side, he added.
Invermere Fire Rescue and BC Ambulance crews found the male occupant unconscious with head
lacerations. Auto extrication was performed to access the man inside the crumpled vehicle.
By 6 p.m., crews on the scene were waiting for the regional coroner to arrive.
The accident occurred at the northern end of Invermere Fire Rescues jurisdiction, and the southern end of Golden RCMPs jurisdiction.
Any witnesses to the collision are asked to contact Sgt. Pears at 250-344-4002.
The name of the deceased driver will be released by the regional coroner once next of kin have been notified.
