Crash Closes Highway 97A Near Vernon

Update: Suspect Arrested in Fatal Armstrong Crash, Police Seek Witnesses

BC Highway Patrol arrested a 30-year-old Armstrong man suspected of driving a black GMC Sierra the wrong way on Highway 97A, causing a head-on crash near Spallumcheen on July 12, 2025, at 1:30 a.m.

The collision with a silver Chevrolet killed two passengers, a 19-year-old from Vernon and a 20-year-old from Coldstream.

The suspect and a passenger fled the scene but were later apprehended. Police are seeking witnesses and dash-camera footage from anyone who encountered the black GMC Sierra before the crash.

Contact BC Highway Patrol – Falkland at 250-828-3184, quoting file 2025-2243.

Original Story:

Unconfirmed Reports Suggest a Fatality in Multi-Vehicle Collision

July 12, 2025: A serious overnight crash shut down Highway 97A north of Vernon early Saturday morning, July 12, 2025. The highway was closed for several hours as emergency crews responded to the scene.

The collision occurred around 2:00 a.m. and involved at least three vehicles in the southbound lanes—an SUV and two pickup trucks—all of which sustained significant damage.

The collision occurred around 2:00 a.m. and involved at least three vehicles in the southbound lanes—an SUV and two pickup trucks—all of which sustained significant damage. By 9:00 a.m., the vehicles remained on the highway, with one pickup truck’s cab covered by a tarp, suggesting serious injury or worse.

A fourth vehicle, located in the northbound lane and cordoned off by traffic cones, showed no visible damage. Nearby on Hutley Road North, which runs parallel to the highway, an aluminum fishing boat was also found on the road.

The crash happened between Otter Lake Cross Road and Pleasant Valley Road. Traffic in both directions was detoured via Otter Lake Road.

The crash happened between Otter Lake Cross Road and Pleasant Valley Road. Traffic in both directions was detoured via Otter Lake Road.

Highway 97A reopened to traffic late Saturday morning.

There has been no official statement from RCMP or emergency services regarding the cause of the crash or the number of people involved. While unconfirmed, observations from the scene suggest at least one fatality may have occurred.

RCMP, Vernon Fire Rescue Service, and BC Ambulance Service all attended the incident.