Times Chronicle Staff
A two-vehicle collision closed Highway 97 at Road 6 south of Oliver earlier this afternoon.
Firefighters were called to the scene and had to reroute traffic to Road 5 and 7 while crews secured the area and assessed the damage and injuries.
Oliver Fire Department spokesman Rob Graham said it appeared the injuries were minor.
He noted the highway was shut down for about 45 minutes until the two vehicles were moved off the road. Both vehicles sustained front end damage, Graham said.
Oliver RCMP attended the scene. One witness reported driving behind a silver Ford Escape northbound on Highway 97 when he observed a blue Chevy Silverado pickup drive from the southbound shoulder, pull out onto the highway and attempt to drive across two lanes of traffic to Road 6.
Police report the Ford Escape sustained significant damage to the front driver’s side. The entire front end was also significantly damaged.
Police say there were no injuries associated with the Escape, adding that both airbags were activated.
The driver of the Chevy said he thought he could cross in time before the Escape came northbound at 80 km/hr. The driver and passenger were “shook up” with only minor injuries.
The RCMP report the driver of the Chevy was issued a violation ticket for failing to yield. Both vehicles were towed. Police provided the driver and passenger of the Escape with a ride into town.
Alcohol/drugs were not suspected in the collision, according to police.
