Four Crashes in Three Years Force B.C. Family to Demand Action

UPDATE: A B.C. family faces escalating danger as vehicles crash into their property near Kaleden for the fourth time in just three years, with two serious incidents occurring within 48 hours. Residents are calling for urgent safety measures on Highway 97 after a spate of accidents has left them fearing for their lives.

Brent Burton, who has lived on the family farm for 15 years, witnessed the latest chaos last week when a pickup truck, pursued by a Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) officer, careened off the road and crashed into his yard. Just two days prior, a Honda Pilot lost control in snowy conditions, landing dangerously close to an already wrecked shed.

“It’s scary,” Burton expressed, highlighting the emotional toll of hearing crashes and worrying about his family’s safety. “We hear the crashes and bangs, and we’re like, ‘Oh no, not again.’”

The first notable incident occurred in August 2022, when a Ford SUV flew off the Highway 97 embankment, destroying a boat in storage. Burton initially dismissed it as a freak accident when a young driver lost control. However, the continuing trend of crashes has led to a troubling realization: this is not an isolated issue.

In March 2023, another out-of-control vehicle crashed in nearly the same spot, resulting in significant damage to a boat that had just been replaced by insurance. The driver, an elderly man, tragically suffered a heart attack and died before the vehicle landed near Burton’s garage.

Local authorities have confirmed there is no evidence of impairment in any of the crashes, but speed appears to be a contributing factor. Investigators are looking into the circumstances surrounding these incidents, which occur on a curve where the speed limit drops from 100 km/h to 80 km/h.

Burton is now urging the B.C. Ministry of Transportation to take action. “There has to be a way to prevent cars from coming off the highway,” he insisted. The curve lacks guardrails or adequate warnings, increasing the risk for residents.

Despite reaching out to local officials, including Boundary-Similkameen MLA Donegal Wilson and Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Director Subrina Monteith, Burton says he has received insufficient responses. “They told me there wasn’t enough room to install a barrier,” he stated, expressing frustration over the lack of solutions.

Monteith acknowledged the jurisdictional challenges, stating, “Unfortunately, the regional district has no funding for roads. We’re pushing for a solution.” She emphasized that local officials are aware of the dangerous situation and are advocating for improvements.

In response to recent inquiries, the Transportation Ministry confirmed they are reviewing the intersection for potential safety enhancements and will install reflective markers to improve visibility. However, Burton remains skeptical about the effectiveness of such measures. “Visibility isn’t an issue. At least it’s something, but I don’t think it would have changed the outcome of any of the four vehicles that entered the yard,” he said.

As the community grapples with these alarming incidents, residents are left wondering: will authorities act before another crash occurs? The urgency for improvements is palpable, and local families continue to fear for their safety. What happens next remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—the need for action is dire.