Vernon man dead following fiery weekend car crash

A woman safely escaped her burning vehicle after a multi-vehicle collision in Vernon on Saturday that left one man dead.

A Vernon North Okanagan RCMP news release says the crash happened on Highway 97 at Meadowlark Road at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 17.

“The initial investigation suggests a Buick LeSabre entered onto the highway directly into the path of the Nissan Rogue causing a chain reaction collision involving four vehicles,” the news release says. “The driver and lone occupant of the Buick, an 81-year old man from Vernon, was transported from the scene by B.C. Ambulance Services and, sadly, was later declared deceased in hospital.”

The female driver of the Nissan escaped her burning vehicle following the collision.

Emergency crews quickly extinguished that fire and a nearby grass fire caused by the crash.

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