Oliver RCMP responded to a distracted driving accident at Gallagher Lake Wednesday night.
For an 18-year-old Castlegar resident, reaching over to change the music on his cell phone while driving was a serious mistake at Gallagher Lake on Wednesday night.
Oliver RCMP responded to a single vehicle accident on Highway 97 at 9:40 p.m. On arrival, they observed a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier flipped upside down. Three males were located standing on the roadside, but none suffered serious injuries.
Police learned that the driver and his two passengers were travelling southbound when the driver looked away from the roadway to change the music on his cell phone. The brief distraction led to the vehicle drifting to the right and colliding with the bridge. The vehicle then rolled over.
Only minor injuries resulted, and the males were released by paramedics at the scene.
Police reported significant damage to the vehicle, which appeared to be a total loss. Alcohol was not a factor in the crash, according to the RCMP. And it could not be determined whether speed played a role in the incident.
Traffic was stopped until the vehicle and debris could be cleaned up. Ministry of Transportation contractors were contacted to examine the bridge and arrived shortly thereafter to erect hazard signs until repairs could be made.
The driver was issued a violation ticket for using an electronic device while driving.
