UPDATE 10:30 a.m.
A pedestrian was hit, and killed, by a vehicle that failed to remain on scene in Vernon Thursday morning.
Highway 6 was closed to traffic Feb. 12 while police investigated the crash that claimed the life of a 22-year-old man.
Vernon North Okanagan RCMP, Vernon Fire Rescue and BC Ambulance Service were called around 7:25 a.m. to a report of a deceased person lying in the eastbound lanes of Highway 6 near the 27th Street intersection.
Investigators determined the pedestrian was in the travel portion of the highway when he was struck by a vehicle, described as the cab section of a commercial tractor unit, travelling east on Highway 6. The collision resulted in fatal injuries to the pedestrian, and the commercial semi did not remain at the scene.
“It is of the utmost importance that the police speak with the driver of the semi and we are urging them to come forward,” said Cpl. Tania Finn, Media Relations Officer with the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP. “To assist with the investigation, police are requesting witnesses and anyone with dash cam footage from the area around the time of the collision to come forward.”
In addition to local detachment resources, the BC Highway Patrol and the RCMP’s Integrated Collision Analyst Reconstructionist Section are on scene. As well, the BC Coroners Service is conducting an independent and concurrent fact-finding investigation to determine how, where, when and by what means this person came to his unexpected death. Police have notified the family of the deceased who are receiving support from Vernon Victim Services.
The RCMP continue to investigate the incident. Anyone with information regarding this collision, including dash cam footage on Highway 6 between the Science Centre entrance and 27th Street intersection during the time frame of 7 a.m. and 7:25 are urged to contact RCMP at 250-545-7171.
ORIGINAL 8:30 a.m.
Vernon North Okanagan RCMP are still on-scene following a motor vehicle incident at the intersection of Highway 6 and 27th Street.
The incident occured shortly before 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12.
Highway 6 eastbound is still closed between 25th Avenue and 27th Street.
The RCMP posted on their social media feed that they were investigating a serious collision, and that motorists would need to find alternate routes as the highway was expected to be closed for several hours.