A Grade 11 student from West Kelowna, B.C., tragically died in a motorcycle accident on his way to school. The collision occurred at around 8:30 a.m. along Highway 97 at Grizzly Road when the student was riding within the speed limit. Witnesses reported that the student was not doing anything out of the ordinary and was squeezed out by a truck when he made a lane change. As a result, he hit the median and was thrown off the motorcycle. The driver of the truck remained on the scene and fully cooperated with the investigation conducted by the Kelowna RCMP.
The collision shut down the northbound lanes for much of the day as traffic reconstructionists were brought in to analyze the incident thoroughly. The reconstructionist required a large amount of time to collect evidence and complete measurements to ensure a comprehensive investigation. The student attended Mt. Boucherie Secondary School, where the school district deployed a post-critical response team to offer support to staff and students affected by the tragedy. The team consists of senior leaders, counselors, and teachers who will provide ongoing support in the coming days.
The accident caused traffic jams across the community as motorists detoured around the crash site. Local residents highlighted the dangerous nature of that particular section of highway, with frequent accidents occurring in the area. Many expressed concerns over the lack of safety measures such as lights or crosswalks and called for improvements to prevent further accidents and fatalities. Despite the disruption caused by the collision, the northbound lanes were reopened just before 4 p.m. on the same day.
Kevin Kaardal, superintendent for Central Okanagan Public Schools, expressed his condolences and emphasized the challenging nature of the day following the tragic loss of a student’s life. The student’s death has deeply affected the school community, and the district is committed to providing ongoing support to those impacted by the incident. Sgt. Laura Pollock of the Kelowna RCMP confirmed that the driver of the truck involved in the collision cooperated fully with the investigation and remained at the scene following the crash. The circumstances surrounding the accident are being thoroughly examined to determine the exact cause of the collision.
The school district’s post-critical response team includes a range of support personnel who will assist both staff and students in coping with the aftermath of the student’s death. This team will offer emotional support and counseling services to help individuals process their grief and manage any trauma resulting from the accident. The incident has raised concerns about road safety in the area, with residents calling for improvements to prevent similar accidents in the future. The reopening of the northbound lanes signaled the conclusion of the investigation, although the impact of the student’s death will likely be felt across the community for some time.
