Drunk driver hits tree, telephone pole, shuts down Hwy 97

Photo: Contributed

An impaired driver rolled his vehicle on Highway 97 last week, crashing through a fence, tree and telephone line. 

On Nov. 26 at 11 p.m. Oliver RCMP responded to the site of the crash near Seacrest Hill. 

A 27-year-old man from Port McNeill, BC had rolled his Dodge pickup truck while travelling south. The crash completely uprooted a tree and took out a telephone line, closing the highway for approximately 45 minutes. 

Officers on scene detected the smell of liquor, and a roadside test was administered. The man received an immediate driving prohibition and RCMP say his truck was destroyed and his insurance will likely be void due to him driving while impaired. 

The man was transported to hospital with minor injuries.