B.C. police investigating alcohol, speed as possible factors in Harley crash that injured 2

B.C. Highway Patrol officers respond to a serious crash involving a Harley-Davidson on Highway 97C. (Handout)

Authorities are investigating alcohol and speed as possible factors in a Harley-Davidson crash that left two people injured in B.C.’s Nicola Valley this week—and they’re asking potential witnesses to come forward.

B.C. Highway Patrol said the single-vehicle collision happened on Highway 97C north of Merritt on Monday afternoon, temporarily shutting down the route in both directions.

Two people were on the motorcycle at the time, and both were wounded in the crash.

The passenger, a 39-year-old woman from Logan Lake, suffered “life-altering and life-threatening injuries,” BCHP said in a news release Wednesday.

The 37-year-old driver was taken to hospital with less severe injuries.

Authorities asked anyone who may have seen the motorcycle prior to the crash, which happened around 2:15 p.m., to come forward. They’re also looking for dash-cam video captured near the area of the collision, which happened north of the Highway 8 junction.

“Police need your help to learn more about the motorcycle rider’s behaviour in the hours and minutes leading up to the collision,” said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin, in a statement.

BCHP did not provide the make or model of the Harley-Davidson, but said it was blue.