Abbotsford RCMP
Photograph by: Abbotsford Times , file
A 59-year-old man from Mission escaped with minor injuries from his semi trailer in a fiery crash in Agassiz on Thursday that took the life of another driver.
The RCMP report that at about 1:30 p.m. on March 21, a 2013 Dodge minivan traveling east on the Lougheed Highway crossed the centre line for unknown reasons, according to witnesses, and smashed head-on into a westbound 2012 Peterbuilt semi trailer.
The two vehicles ended up in opposite ditches, both fully engulfed in flames, say police. The Mission driver of the semi trailer was taken by ambulance a local area hospital with minor injuries.
The driver of the minivan died at the scene. His name will not be released pending permission from his immediate family. There were no other occupants in the two vehicles.
The crash occurred about half a kilometre east of the Waleach Road and Lougheed Highway intersection in Agassiz. Agassiz fire services, Agassiz RCMP and Fraser Valley Traffic Services responded.
The road was wet but weather conditions do not appear to be factors in this collision. Investigators have not ruled out inattention and mechanical issues.
Police and the coroner’s office continue their investigations.
Any witnesses who have not yet spoken to police are asked to contact lead investigator Const. Lee Keane of the Fraser Valley Traffic Services at 604-702-4039.
