UPDATE (June 4, 2019): The Kelowna police officer injured in Monday’s serious crash along Highway 33 is in hospital, recovering, local RCMP said on Tuesday.
The incident involved an unmarked police vehicle and a semi-truck near the intersection of Highway 33 and Loseth Road / Loseth Drive.
Kelowna RCMP said in a press release that the injured officer, who is a police dog handler, “remains in good spirits with family, friends and colleagues at his side. His canine partner, underwent a full examination at a local vet and appears to be relatively unharmed.”
The semi-truck driver has since been released from hospital, according to police.
The incident is still under investigation, and police are urging possible witnesses, or those with video footage of the crash, to come forward.
“The specially trained collision reconstructionist of the Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Services or ICARS will now analyze the physical evidence and data information gathered at the scene, and subsequently prepare a detailed report to assist investigators in determining those contributing factors,” said Kelowna RCMP Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey.
“Although traffic collision investigators obtained statements from witnesses at the scene, police are strongly encouraging all witnesses, who have not yet spoken to police, to come forward.”
UPDATE: A Kelowna RCMP officer sustained serious but non-life threatening injuries in a crash on Highway 33 as he was responding to a priority call for service on Monday, according to RCMP.
The crash between the unmarked police SUV and the semi happened just after 6 p.m. on Highway 33 near the intersection of Loseth Road/ Loseth Drive.
“The Kelowna RCMP Municipal Traffic Section has taken carriage of the collision investigation, which is in it’s very early stages,” Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey, spokesman for the Kelowna RCMP, said. “Due to the extent of the damage caused to the police SUV, fire fighters required the jaws of life to safely extricate the experienced police officer from the passenger compartment.”
The SUV broadsided the semi as it turned into a driveway as both vehicles traveled east on Highway 33, according to a witness.
The SUV was traveling in the right lane, the semi in the left lane, according to the witness.
“The lights were on. The blue and reds were on but there was no sirens,” witness Dayle Booth told Global News.
“The truck turned so fast, it literally shocked me,” Booth said.
Other witnesses attempted to put out a fire that started in the engine compartment of the SUV, he said.
The police K9 was safely pulled from the wreckage and has been taken for assessment at a local veterinarian, according to O’Donaghey.
“It looked a bit shaken, but it looked good,” Booth said of the police K9.
The eastbound lanes of Highway 33 between Garner Road and Loseth Road will be closed until 11:30 p.m. while police continue to investigate.