Social media posts by family have revealed the identify of two people killed in a car crash near Orchard’s Walk in Valleyview over the long weekend.
Robert and Tonya Kuchma of Kelowna have been identified as the crash victims.
In a post shared on Facebook, family members shared their thoughts in the wake of their deaths: “We are told that it was painless for them, for which we are so thankful. We are even more thankful that they are together and with Jesus, but this loss has come so unexpectedly and has left a huge void in our lives. Please remember us in your prayers…”
The crash occurred on Monday, Feb. 15, on Highway 1 and involved a jack-knifed semi-trailer.
Kamloops RCMP Const. Crystal Evelyn said the crash in the eastbound lanes occurred near Grand Boulevard. It killed the Kelowna couple and sent two others to hospital. Evelyn said the two people sent to hospital have since been released, after being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Meanwhile, the investigation into the crash continues.
Evelyn said that, based on the investigation so far, it appears a green Toyota 4Runner was travelling westbound on Highway 1 and, at some point, went to enter another lane, but lost control.
“When it lost control, it looks like it spun out into the opposite lane, so eastbound traffic,” Evelyn said. “And unfortunately, a semi was coming that way.”
Police told KTW earlier that the 4Runner was discovered in the eastbound ditch and the jack-knifed semi-trailer further down the highway. The vehicle was carrying four occupants, the Kuchmas and two others.
Evelyn said weather appears to have played a role in the accident. On Monday, Kamloops experienced a fresh dusting of snow. About an hour before the accident, there was another call of a crash on the same highway, farther west near Aberdeen Mall. A vehicle left the highway and rolled down an embankment.
Police continue to request any dash cam footage available from the public and can be contacted by phone at 250-828-3000.
Kamloops This Week has reached out to the family for comment.
