A 33-year old Vernon man was killed in yesterday’s head-on crash on Highway 97 near Monte Lake, that sent two others to hospital with minor injuries.

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP spokesperson Const. Chris Terleski says emergency crews were called to the area near Barnhartvale Road just before 10 a.m. Monday, June 19.

“The investigation has determined a small Hyundai passenger vehicle travelling west on Highway 97 crossed the centre line of the road and into the oncoming lane, colliding head-on with a pickup truck towing a travel trailer,” Terleski said. “Sadly, the driver, and lone occupant of the Hyundai was pronounced deceased at the scene.”

“The occupants of the pickup truck were transported from the scene by BC Emergency Health Services for treatment of minor injuries.”

Highway 97 was closed for about several hours as emergency personnel investigated the crash and cleaned up the scene.

At this time, it is not clear what caused the Hyundai to cause the centre median just prior to the crash.