One killed following collision near Merritt

One person is dead following a two-vehicle rollover collision on Highway 5 north of Merritt on Monday, November 10. collision.

Merritt RCMP report that at approximately 7:45 a.m., frontline officers responded to the collision after a Honda Accord, which was travelling southbound on Highway 5, rear-ended a semi-truck. The semi-truck was travelling in the slow lane when it was struck, and the car rolled, coming to a stop in the ditch.

Police, Merritt Fire Rescue, and BC Emergency Health Services all responded. Merritt Fire Rescue extracted the lone occupant of the Honda. Despite lifesaving efforts by first responders, a Kamloops man was declared deceased at the scene. The semi-truck driver was uninjured and is cooperating with the investigation.

“This was a tragic incident, and the RCMP sends their condolences to the driver’s friends and family,” says Cpl. Brett Urano, BC RCMP spokesperson. “Merritt RCMP would like to thank all those who assisted at the scene, including witnesses and first responders.”

Urano said the southbound lanes on Highway 5 were closed for an extended period of time due to the incident, but reopened hours later.