Gitsegukla BC woman killed in car collision

Source: Terrace Standard

BRITISH COLUMBIA - A 79-year-old Gitsegukla woman is dead following a motor vehicle collision yesterday afternoon Nov. 27 on Hwy16 just east of the village.

Phyllis Wright was one of five people in a westbound 1995 ford Aerostar van struck by an eastbound 2000 Toyota pickup truck after its driver lost control and crossed into the van's lane.

“The highway at this location is an asphalt paved road, straight, in good repair with an uphill grade for east bound vehicles. Weather at the time: light snow. The road were slushy with slippery sections,” said RCMP Sgt. Don Murray in a release.

“It appears the driver (an 86 year old male resident of Hazelton, BC) was eastbound in a brown 2000 Toyota pickup with worn all-season tires when he lost control of his vehicle and crossed into the west bound lane.”

The Toyota came to rest upright on the highway and the Ford came to rest upright in the ditch, reported Murray.

The driver and lone occupant of the Toyota was taken to hospital with undetermined injuries as was the driver and three other passengers of the van.

Murray said Wright was not wearing a seatbelt.

Once again police are telling motorists that all-season tires are not recommended for winter driving and that snow tires provide better traction and braking.