Mounties in northern B.C. are investigating a collision on Highway 97 north this past weekend that claimed the life of a tanker truck driver.
On Sunday (Dec. 13) morning before 7 a.m., Dawson Creek RCMP were called in after reports of a motor vehicle collision on the Alaska Highway near 230 Road in South Taylor.
Officers immediately attended and found two vehicles involved, one of which was a tanker truck that had become engulfed in flames.
An early investigation suggests the tanker truck was traveling north on Highway 97 and struck an unoccupied vehicle that was parked, or possibly abandoned, on the side of the road.
The tanker truck rolled over into the ditch as a result of the impact and immediately became engulfed in flames, to which the driver did not survive.
Thus far, Dawson Creek RCMP have not been able to make contact with the family of the involved driver, the investigation is ongoing and the roadway will remain closed while undergoing repair.
B.C.'s Ministry of Environment says the fuel tanker was carrying gasoline.
The tanker truck had been extinguished shortly before 1 p.m. on Sunday, noting the gasoline had migrated under the highway into a culvert and entered a small nearby frozen creek where it appears to be contained.
DriveBC reports Highway 97 south of Taylor will remain closed until at least Wednesday (Dec. 16) and all passenger traffic is being detoured via 228 Road, 243 Road and 230 Road.
Heavy traffic, however, is bring detoured via Highway 29 through Hudson's Hope.
In the meantime, RCMP are asking any witnesses who saw the incident to come forward and are also looking to speak with any drivers that may have noticed the pickup truck parked on the side of the road prior to Sunday's crash.
If you have information, you're asked to call 250-784-3700 and speak to the lead investigator, Cst. Sam Bratina.
- with files from Matt Preprost, Alaska Highway News
