By Pete McIntyre / Beach Radio Vernon

Semi driver injured in Vernon emergency stop

Mar 6, 2019 | 11:07 AM

VERNON, B.C. — Police say the driver of a semi truck was fortunate to suffer only minor injuries after an incident on the highway near Vernon Jubilee Hospital this morning.

Mounties say the semi transporting a load of lumber had to hit the emergency braking system when a vehicle allegedly cut in front of the semi and then stopped for a pedestrian at the crosswalk around 9 am Wednesday.

The sudden stop caused thousands of pounds of lumber to loosen and propel through the driver’s cab.

“The driver of the semi-truck was very fortunate to have sustained only minor injuries during this incident, given the amount of lumber that shifted and impaled the back of the drivers cab,” says RCMP Cst. Kelly Brett. “This serves as a very good reminder to motorists that large vehicles such as semi-trucks do not have the ability to stop as quickly as smaller vehicles, and cutting in front of such a vehicle can cause significant if not deadly injuries.”

Brett says the investigation into the incident shows all safety requirements were met by the semi-truck, and the cause of the incident was due to the sudden stop caused the other vehicle involved.

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The other vehicle did not remain on scene.

Police say the highway northbound will remain closed until further notice as crews work to clear the lumber.

Traffic is being detoured off Highway 97 onto 18th Avenue.