East Kootenay Traffic Services (RCMP) have released more information regarding the collision near Galloway that sent four people to hospital Tuesday, with serious to critical injuries.
According to police, the cause of the incident appears to be a commercial semi truck and trailer, which entered a construction zone without stopping or slowing down, and careened into a line of stopped vehicles.
A press release issued Thursday states that the two kilometer section of Provincial Highway has been under construction since the beginning of spring as the Province moves to widen the highway and add passing lanes. The area has been well marked by the construction contract using warning signs, speed reader boards, pylons and flag persons but that was not enough to prevent a collision that resulted in four persons being taken to hospital.
Initial police investigation into the matter indicates that eastbound traffic was being stopped on they highway by flag persons as construction material was moved. Several eastbound vehicles had already stopped on the travel portion of the highway when the semi fuel truck, entered the construction zone and appeared to not slow or stop as it approached the stopped vehicles. The commercial vehicle slammed into the line of stopped vehicles causing a chain reaction which involved four additional vehicles. Injured persons were transported to East Kootenay Regional Hospital to be treated for their injuries.
The collision occurred during full daylight hours and the roadway was clear and dry at the time of the collision.
Investigation into this collision continues with police officers from Elk Valley RCMP, East Kootenay Traffic Services, SED Reconstruction Unit and Commercial Vehicle Safety Inspectors involved.