RCMP are continuing to investigate a fatal motor vehicle accident near Hedley that occurred on March 30.
On Friday, a 24-year-old Hedley man was arrested near Keremeos as part of the investigation but was subsequently released with no charges laid. Sgt. Harold Hallett, unit commander for the South Okanagan Traffic Services, said he cannot provide any more information as the investigation is still active.
RCMP initially sent out a press release stating that alcohol and speed were believed to be contributing factors in the death of a 28-year-old Alberta man driving a 1993 Ford Escort westbound on Highway 3. The incident occurred at 4:45 a.m. March 30 and his passenger, a 17-year-old Hedley female, sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries.
RCMP said upon entering a clockwise turn, the Escort crossed the centre line into the oncoming lane. The driver over corrected, losing control of the vehicle and slid into an adjacent field on the south side of the highway. The vehicle then rolled into a hydro pole.
The South Okanagan Traffic Services has been aggressively pursuing all avenues of investigation into the fatal motor vehicle incident. Forensic experts, pathologists and collision reconstruction analyst have been assisting in the investigation. Any persons that have direct knowledge of this collision are asked to contact Const. Rodrigues of the South Okanagan Traffic Services at 1-250-499-2250.