Man dies in fatal crash on Highway 97

SALMON VALEY, B.C.  —- A 67-year-old man has died following a collision on Highway 97 involving a logging truck.

On March 16th just after 12:40 p.m., B.C. Highway Patrol was called to the scene of a crash involving a Peterbilt logging truck and a blue Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck 

Police say the blue Silverado was heading southbound near Salmon Valley when it collided with the logging truck. 

The 29-year-old Alberta driver of the logging truck sustained minor injuries, but the driver of the Silverado, a man from Mackenzie, British Columbia, did not survive the crash.

British Columbia Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) confirmed one person was transported to hospital. 

“An ambulance with primary care paramedics, a paramedic practice educator and a paramedic supervisor responded to the scene,” said BCEHS paramedic public information officer Brian Twaites. “Paramedics provided emergency medical care to one patient who was transported to hospital in stable condition.” 

B.C. Highway Patrol’s Corporal Michael McLaughlin is urging the public to take extra safety precautions when driving, especially in wet and slushy conditions. 

“We have seen two fatal collisions in less than a day on Highway 97. We’re urging motorists in and around Prince George to slow down to well below the speed limit,” says Corporal McLaughlin. “You need to be extra cautious.”

According to DriveBC, the highway was closed for much of Monday afternoon following the crash as police investigated, but has since reopened as of Tuesday morning. 

The B.C. Highway Patrol is asking anyone who witnessed the crash or anyone who has dash cam footage to contact the Prince George detachment at 250-649-4004 quoting (3100) 2026-190.