On March 19 at approximately 8:35 a.m. emergency services crews responded to a two vehicle collision involving a pick up truck and a tractor trailer on Hwy. 16, approximately 1.5 kilometres East of Six Mile Hill, near Topley. The driver of the tractor trailer, who was traveling East on Hwy. 16 sustained minor injuries in the collision.
Sadly, a 56 year old Houston man driving the pick up truck West on Hwy. 16 sustained fatal injuries and passed away at the scene.
Constable Robin Dupuis from the Burns Lake RCMP Traffic Services said, "RCMP requested a Terrace RCMP collision analyst attend the scene to assist in the on going Investigation."
"Once the fatality was confirmed, Hwy. 16 was closed for approximately seven hours, after that we had single lane alternating from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. when the road was reopened. RCMP appreciates the understanding and patience of the traveling public during the necessary closure of Hwy. 16 to ensure a thorough investigation could be conducted," Cst. Dupuis said.
He said, "The roads were snow covered with icy and slippery sections, but at this time it is unknown if this was a contributing factor. It is also unknown at this time if speed was a contributing factor in the collision," Cst. Dupuis added.