MERRITT – Highway 5 was closed in both directions yesterday for several hours following a fatal vehicle collision.

The crash scene is approximately 10 kilometres south of Merritt, according to Drive B.C. A woman driving alone was struck as she exited her crashed vehicle and was later pronounced dead at the scene, according to an RCMP release.

Several secondary crashes followed and non-life threatening injures resulted.

Detours were available via Highway 3 or Highway 8 to Highway 1 and southbound by exit 286.

Highway 5 southbound was closed for three and half hours and Highway 5 northbound was closed for nearly eight hours.

— This story was updated at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, April 3 to include new information from Drive B.C.

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