Head-on crash between car, semi on Trans Canada Highway leaves 1 dead

Police squad car lights. FILE PHOTO (Daniel J. Rowe/CTV News)

One person is dead after a crash between a car and a semi truck on the Trans Canda Highway in Salmon Arm Sunday, according to authorities.

First responders were called to the scene just east of 20th Avenue Northeast just before 9 p.m., the Salmon Arm RCMP said in a statement.

“Officers attended and observed that there had been a head-on collision between a tractor trailer and a Buick sedan,” the statement said, adding that the driver of the Buick was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Investigation determined that the Buick was travelling westbound in the oncoming lanes. The driver of the tractor trailer attempted to avoid the collision but was unable to.”

The truck driver was taken to hospital with minor injuries, and is co-operating with the investigation, which involved a review of the semi’s dash-cam video.

“The Salmon RCMP would like to offer their condolences to the friends and family of the person who died,” RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Brett Urano said, in the statement.

Authorities are reminding drivers to use winter tires and to adjust their speed according to conditions.

The highway was closed for several hours for the investigation, but reopened just after midnight.