Two men charged after running over big horned sheep
By Castlegar Source
Charges have been laid against two BC drivers, as a result of a motor vehicle collision with a herd of Big Horn Sheep on Hwy 3, near Keremeos this past October.
On Oct. 1 at around 4 p.m., the South Okanagan Traffic Services received a report of a collision involving multiple vehicles and a herd of Big Horn sheep on Hwy 3 West of Keremeos.
At the time of the collision, westbound vehicles had stopped for a herd of 12 Big Horn Sheep crossing Hwy 3, in the four lane 100 kph zone to the east of Standing Rock. As the westbound vehicles were stopped, an eastbound Ford F250 pickup truck operated by a 56-year-old male and a Dodge Ram Pick Up operated by a 75-year-old male both failed to stop for the crossing sheep, killing five and injuring two other animals. Some of the sheep were thrown from the impact into the stopped westbound vehicles damaging same. Neither driver of the eastbound vehicles stopped at the scene. Since the date of the collision, an active investigation continued in efforts to locate and identify the drivers involved.
The joint investigation by the RCMP South Okanagan Traffic Services and the BC Conservation Officer Service resulted in both vehicles being located and the respective drivers identified.
Charges under the Motor Vehicle Act of Failing to Report Accidental Killing of Wildlife on Highway, Failing to Remain at the Scene of an Accident, and Drive Without Consideration of Others have been laid. Both drivers held a valid BC driver’s license.
This tragic collision is a grim reminder that as drivers we need to do our part in safe guarding the wildlife in our communities. When you see highway signs advising you of wildlife being in the area, please heed the warnings and drive with caution, said RCMP Cpl Dan Moskaluk
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