Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Investigation continues into weekend tragedy on Highway 16


The North District Criminal Crash Investigative Team is continuing its investigation into Friday night’s single car, motor vehicle accident which claimed the life of two people and sent two others to hospital.

No names for the deceased have been released yet and there have not been any further details provided, on what caused the Chevrolet Cavalier to drive off the side of the road and overturn. While the community tries to come to grips with the tragedy a message board has been set up on the Facebook social networking site, to provide comfort and encouragement for one of the survivors of the crash.

The Daily News provided what little background is available on the incident on the front page of Monday’s paper.

TRAGEDY CLAIMS TWO LIVES ON THE HIGHWAY TO TERRACE
Police investigation continues as shock and dismay spreads around community
The Daily News
Monday, September 17, 2006
Page one

The arrival of rainy, foggy weather in the Northwest may have contributed to the death of two people on Highway 16 Friday night between Prince Rupert and Terrace.

Near the 75-kilometre marker west of Polymar Creek, a Chevrolet Cavalier drove off the left side of the roadway and overturned.

Two people were killed in the crash, including one of the deceased who was ejected from the vehicle.

“He was believed to not have been wearing a seatbelt,” said Cst. C. G. Romanchych of North Pacific Traffic Services.

It is unknown whether the driver was not belted in, he said.

The other two occupants survived, and were quickly rushed to hospital with various injuries. The survivors are Basil Morgan and Shawn White, both of whom are well known basketball players in the Northwest.

RCMP have not released the names of the two victims, nor have they identified the cause of the accident, for example whether speed and/or alcohol were involved.

However, the weather was not good that evening, with heavy rain at times, and poor visibility along Highway 16.

The North District Criminal Crash Investigative Team was deployed immediately to investigate the accident, with the assistance from both the Terrace and Rupert detachments.

A message board to offer support for the survivors – specifically White – has been set up on Facebook.com

“Heal fast please,” said on posting by one of White’s friends. “You’ll be back schooling us on the courts in not time!”

Another posting reads: “I can’t believe what happened. You get better, and come back to Rupert… I’m glad to hear you’re okay.”

The investigation is continuing, and Terrace RCMP will release more information in the near future. If anyone has any information on what happened, they are asked to contact Terrace RCMP at 250-638-7400.

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