Merritt RCMP are asking for witnesses after a fatal crash between a semi-truck and a pickup truck on the Okanagan Connector around 7:40 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23.

Mounties say the east bound semi slid off the road and into the ditch at Hamilton Hill, southeast of Merritt, when it was hit by the pickup truck which was also heading in the same direction.

“Tragically, the passenger in the pickup truck was pronounced deceased at the scene,” Cpl. Melissa Jongema of the BC Highway Patrol said. “The driver of the pickup truck was transported to hospital with minor injuries.”

“The driver of the semi-truck is uninjured and is cooperating with the investigation.”

Jongema says officers from Merritt, Kamloops, and the BC Highway Patrol were all called to the crash.

“Investigation has determined that the road conditions were reportedly very poor,” Jongema added. “No details regarding the occupants of the vehicles are being released at this time.”

The investigation is being led by the Merritt RCMP with the support from the RCMP’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction team, Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement officers, and the Ministry of Transportation.

People who may have witnessed the crash or the events leading up to it are being told to contact the Merritt RCMP at 250-378-4262 and reference file number 2024-299.