Fatal Shelter Bay crash raises the highway death toll to six in less than a week

A fatal crash on Highway 23 South, 11 kilometers north of the Shelter Bay ferry terminal, on Monday afternoon has raised the death toll on area highways to six people in less than a week.

According to RCMP Cpl. Rob Wiebe, a southbound 1997 GMC Yukon, driven by a 45-year-old Calgary man, crossed the center line and overturned in the ditch at about 4 pm on Monday, July 26.  A 41-year-old woman, also from Calgary, died at the scene.  It is believed she was not wearing her seatbelt.

“A collision recontructionist from Southeast District attended the scene to help determine what caused the crash,” he said in a statement.  “Alcohol is not believed to be a factor.  The Revelstoke RCMP along with the BC Coroners Service are continuing the investigation.”

Meanwhile, the July 23 crash in Rogers Pass that claimed the lives of three people has now claimed the life of a fourth, the Revelstoke RCMP said in a statement that also included the identities of three of the dead.

In an update issued less than an hour ago, Wiebe said 63-year-old Maria Pereira of Summerland died of her injuries on July 25 at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops. Her 40-year-old daughter, Anabela Blystone, also of Summerland, died at the scene.  Both were passengers in the Jeep Liberty. The driver of the Mustang, Cindy Eastham, 23, of Calgary, Alberta, was also pronounced dead at the scene.

Confirmation of notification of next of kin for a Nigerian citizen who was killed in the accident has not yet been received, the statement said.

This was the second fatal collision in Rogers Pass in three days last week. On Wednesday, July 22, an Abbottsford man was killed  and his wife was injured when their car collided with a transport truck near Loop Brook.

In another — this time non-fatal — accident on Monday, police responded to a single-vehicle accident on Highway 23 North near the dam access road.  A 31-year-old driver from Calgary lost control of his vehicle when he encountered loose gravel on the road.  He was taken to hospital with minor injuries.  His 2004 Acura RSX did not fair as well as it is believed it is a write-off.

Then just shortly before 4 p.m. a member of the Golden Integrated Road Safety Unit attended another single-vehicle crash five kilometers east of Rogers Pass.  A 2000 Pontiac Montana crossed the center line and collided with the cement no post.  The 36-year-old Calgary man was taken to Golden General Hospital with minor injuries.  His two female passengers, aged five and 28, were not hurt in the collision.  The mini van suffered about $8,000 in damage.