One driver was in critical condition Tuesday and one in stable condition after a multi-vehicle accident near Castlegar closed down Highway 22 between Blueberry and Genelle Monday evening.
The accident happened at 5 p.m. and the road remained closed until around 9 p.m.
According to Castlegar RCMP, the incident occurred when a Nissan Quest being driven by a 79-year-old male that was travelling north on Hwy. 22 entered the southbound lane and struck a Kia Sportage being driven by a 54-year-old woman.
The Castlegar Fire Department was called to the scene and extricated the female driver. Both drivers were taken to hospital from the scene.
A third vehicle was involved, but the driver escaped without injury as she saw the vehicle driving in her lane and was able to avoid being hit head-on, with only her mirror being struck.
The highway was shut down for several hours while the scene was investigated.
An RCMP press release explains, “Castlegar RCMP and traffic services/collision analysts continue to investigate the cause of this accident and to determine applicable charges. Alcohol is not considered a factor.”