Drivers reminded not to pass snowplows with flashing lights after collision on the Coquihalla

In a post to social media, Argo Roads Thompson – B.C.’s road maintenance contractor for the Thompson region – says a truck attempted to pass a plow on the Coquihalla Highway Tuesday (Jan. 16) morning and struck its wing.

“Many of our trucks are equipped with a wing plow on the right side. This ‘wing’ extends roughly half the length of a GMC pickup with a full cab bed,” Argo Roads Thompson states. “When the plow is plowing, these wings can be really hard to see. If you try to pass on the right, as this truck did, you could hit it — like this truck did.”

Argo Roads Thompson says there were no serious injuries, although the plow is out of service to undergo assessment and repairs.

Most of B.C.’s Southern Interior remains under a snowfall warning Wednesday, including the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Kamloops and the Okanagan Connector from Kelowna to Merritt.

Drivers are encouraged to have patience on the roads amid snowy conditions.