Man arrested and appeal launched after fatal Highway 97 collision

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C — After making an arrest, BC Highway Patrol is asking the community for dash-camera videos and witnesses of the collision on Highway 97 that killed one person and sent another to the hospital. 

The Fort St. John RCMP were called to Highway 97 on January 26th at noon due to a three-vehicle collision that killed a man north of Wonowon and closed the highway between kilometre 161 and 163.

First, there was a head-on collision involving a green Ford F350 pickup and black Dodge Caravan. 

BC Highway Patrol said the initial collision sent the two vehicles into the side of a logging truck. 

Now, the collision is being investigated by the BC Highway Patrol and a man has been arrested.  

Corporal Michael McLaughlin, media relations officer for BC Highway Patrol, said in a written statement: “This collision was severe. The driver of the black Dodge Caravan, a 27-year-old man from Grande Prairie, Alberta, did not survive.” 

BC Emergency Health Services told Energeticcity.ca it received a call about a collision at 12:08 p.m. and an ambulance with critical care and primary care paramedics was dispatched to the scene. 

Emergency medical treatment was also provided to one patient who was transported to the hospital in a stable condition. 

The RCMP said both the Dodge Caravan and the Ford F350 had Alberta licence plates. 

Officers arrested a 25-year-old man from Swift Current, Saskatchewan – who was taken to the hospital with serious injuries – for impaired operation of a motor vehicle.

The driver of the logging truck was unhurt. 

Officers are asking for anyone who witnessed events leading up to the collision or has dash-camera footage to call BC Highway Patrol – Fort St. John at 250-787-8140 and quote file (3403) 2026-733.