No charges laid after last year’s Okanagan Connector Christmas Eve crash killed 4 people

BRITISH COLUMBIA — Last year’s Holidays saw a tragic crash not far from Merritt as conditions were less than ideal for drivers trying to see loved ones over the holidays.

It’s a situation that still haunts many of those involved, media, families, emergency responders alike.

After the case was looked over, no charges will be laid after four people died in the bus crash on the Okanagan Connector last Christmas Eve.

B-C Crown Prosecutors spokesman Dan McLaughlin says the Crown attorney looking over allegations has determined the standard for charges hasn’t been met.

Police said the bus was travelling on extremely poor road conditions with a mix of icy roads, with snow, rain and hail falling. The roads were also covered in slush, making it hard to maintain any consistency of speed along the highway, some drivers at the time elected to take alternate routes to avoid a tragedy of their own.

The bus went off the road and flipped onto its side east of Merritt, killing four of the more than 40 people on board.

This year driving conditions will be a lot more clear as a warm winter blankets most of the province. Last year on December 20th, 2023 it was minus 22 while this year’s weather saw a high of 2 degrees, a 24 degree difference.

Here is the forecasted weather in Merritt for the week, for those who wish to travel during the Holidays.

Merritt Forecast | Weather Network