The Whistler RCMP say an accident involving four cars on July 19 could have been much worse, after the driver of a northbound vehicle veered into the oncoming lane just north of Brandywine Falls and struck two vehicles. A fourth vehicle was also involved as the traffic slammed to a halt.
Three victims in the crash were transported to Vancouver by helicopter, one with a head injury and two for precautionary reasons. One was a senior citizen in her mid-90s and another was a diabetic. All are expected to recover.
The driver, described as a middle-aged male from Whistler, may have fallen asleep at the wheel, and is expected to be charged in the accident. RCMP is still investigating.
"We're very lucky how this turned out, it could have been much worse with four vehicles involved and the amount of damage to the northbound vehicle," said Sergeant Rob Knapton of the Whistler RCMP.
The highway was closed in both directions for just over two hours until roughly 6 p.m.
Motorcycles seized at speed trap
The RCMP's Lower Mainland District Traffic division impounded five motorcycles on July 18 after they were clocked going 160km/h along the Sea to Sky Highway —twice the posted speed limit.
The motorcycles were driving north towards Squamish when they passed the speed check. The constable then merged onto the highway and paced the motorcycles to keep visual contact with them.
Due to traffic and public safety concerns, the police officer decided not to activate his emergency equipment but radioed ahead to the Squamish detachment, which then set up a roadblock south of Squamish.
The drivers ranged in age from 25 to 47. Each driver was issued a violation ticket for $483, with one driver also receiving a second fine of $276 for not having a valid drivers' licence. As well, all five motorcycles were impounded for seven days.
Two other vehicles were seized for excessive speeding this past week at a speed check at Highway 99 and the Callaghan Valley. Both were going over 130km/h in a 80km/h zone.
