Crash kills Merritt-area woman, ties up Coquihalla

MERRITT, B.C. — A 47 year old Merritt-area woman is dead after an early morning crash on the Coquihalla Highway – and RCMP say it appears her death could have been prevented.

Just before 5:00 a.m., near the Helmer brake check, a southbound semi hit the rear of a Suzuki Swift traveling in the same direction.

The driver of the car was pronounced dead at the scene, while her daughter was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Sergeant Mike Pears says the driver was not wearing her seatbelt at the time of the collision.