One man is dead after a single-vehicle crash on Highway 97 North Sunday afternoon.
According to the North District RCMP, a black 2006 Ford F350 pickup truck left the road just south of Mitchell Road, about 10 kilometres north of Salmon Valley. The driver - and sole occupant - of the truck was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The highway, which was closed while emergency personnel responded, is now open to single alternating traffic.
An investigation into the crash is underway, but Cpl. Madonna Saunderson said high speed and a not wearing a seatbelt were being singled out as the most-likely contributing factors.
"No other vehicles involved, no indication of animals or anything else. Just at this point in time a high rate of speed, loss of control, and went off the road into the trees," she said, noting police were also investigating whether or not alcohol had played a role in the crash.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to contact the Prince George Regional Traffic Services office at 250-649-4004, but Saunderson said police are particularly interested in the driver or occupants of a silver Toyota Tundra pickup.
"Witnesses at the scene say that vehicle was in the area at the time of the crash and may have witnessed the crash," Saunderson explained. "Certainly the people are not involved in any way, shape or form, but they may have seen something that we'd like to speak to them about."