Tragic Highway 97 Collisions Claim Two Lives in Separate Incidents
Two individuals lost their lives in separate truck crashes along Highway 97 near Prince George on Monday afternoon, as treacherous road conditions contributed to the devastating collisions. British Columbia RCMP officials have issued urgent warnings to motorists, emphasizing the need for reduced speeds and heightened vigilance in the area.
First Collision: Salmon Valley Crash Details
The initial incident occurred shortly before 1 p.m. near Salmon Valley, just north of Prince George. A northbound Peterbilt logging truck towing an empty trailer collided with a southbound blue Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. The 29-year-old logging truck driver from Alberta sustained minor injuries, but tragically, the 67-year-old man from Mackenzie, who was the sole occupant of the pickup, perished in the crash.
Second Collision: Woodpecker Landing Fatality
Approximately five hours later, RCMP officers responded to another fatal truck crash at Woodpecker Landing, about 50 kilometres south of Prince George. A semi-truck jackknifed and collided with a pickup truck, resulting in the death of a 69-year-old woman from Quesnel who was a passenger in the pickup. The 77-year-old male driver of the pickup was transported to hospital with injuries, while the 44-year-old semi-truck driver from Abbotsford emerged uninjured.
Police Urge Extreme Caution Amid Hazardous Conditions
Cpl. Michael McLaughlin of the B.C. RCMP’s highway patrol highlighted that road conditions in the region remain wet and slushy, creating dangerous driving environments. "We have seen two fatal collisions in less than a day on Highway 97," stated McLaughlin. "We’re urging motorists in and around Prince George to slow down to well below the speed limit. You need to be extra cautious."
Investigators have not ruled out any factors in the Salmon Valley crash and are actively seeking witnesses or individuals with dashcam footage. They can contact the highway patrol at 250-649-4004 to provide information.
Regarding the Woodpecker Landing incident, RCMP Cpl. Brett Urano indicated that speed and weather conditions appear to have been contributing factors. "With changing road conditions, drivers are urged to slow down and adjust their driving to the conditions to help prevent further collisions," advised Urano.
Anyone who witnessed or has footage of the crash south of Prince George is encouraged to call police at 250‑561‑3300.
The back-to-back tragedies underscore the critical importance of adapting driving behavior to match adverse weather and road conditions, particularly on major thoroughfares like Highway 97 during winter months.
