A local man was sent to the hospital with serious head injuries after a two vehicle collision on Highway 97 at Road 2 around 1:30 pm August 3.
According to a witness at the scene, the accident occurred when the driver of a yellow Gio Scooter suddenly crossed the fog line on the left side, in an attempt to illegally pass a blue 2005 Toyota Tacoma pick-up truck. Both vehicles were northbound. The witness said he saw the scooter suddenly appeared in front of the Toyota truck and became trapped under the front of the Toyota.
When the Toyota driver, a 23 year-old male from Oliver, was able to stop, the rider was thrown forward onto the pavement. The witness estimated that he rolled approximately ten feet. As the driver rolled, the witness added, his helmet, which did not appear to meet safety regulations, fell off, causing the driver to sustain “a pretty serious” head injury, due to the direct impact with the pavement.
The rider was subsequently transported to Penticton Regional Hospital where he received treatment for serious but non-life threatening injuries. He was held overnight for observation. There were no injuries reported by the driver or passengers in the Tacoma and the scooter was damaged beyond repair. There was significant front end damage to the Tacoma. The matter is still under investigation by South Okanagan Traffic Services. Speed does not appear to have been a factor. 
