The man killed Tuesday morning between Prince George and Quesnel was an elder from Saskatchewan. He was driving a grey Chevrolet Silverado pickup.
According to the RCMP's Cariboo Regional Traffic Services commander Cpl. Kurt Banse, the 73-year-old man had been parked at a pullout about 300 metres north of the Cottonwood River Bridge when he attempted to drive back out onto Highway 97.
"[He] was attempting to turn south toward Quesnel when it was struck by a loaded northbound Kenworth logging truck," Banse said. "Damage to both vehicles was extensive and the debris field, including a large number of logs, covered all travel portions of the highway."
The collision happened just before 11 a.m. Due to police investigation needs, and safe cleanup of the highway, Highway 97 had to be closed for about six hours in both directions. It reopened to single lane, alternating traffic at about 5:30 p.m. and was fully open not long after that.
The Saskatchewan man was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the logging truck received minor injuries.
Names are not being released pending notification of the deceased male's next of kin.
Banse confirmed that speed and alcohol were not factors in the incident.
