UPDATE: 3 p.m.
Kelowna RCMP say they are actively investigating a Monday afternoon crash on Springfield Road, but cannot confirm witness accounts fentanyl was involved.
Emergency crews were called to the scene of the accident at Springfield Road and Ambrosi Road at 12:34 p.m. on March 27.
“The initial investigation has led police to believe that the driver of a red Honda CRV crossed the centre line of Springfield and collided head on with a black Dodge Ram pickup truck headed in the opposite direction,” said Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey.
“The driver of the Honda CRV, a man in his 20s, was discovered unresponsive and subsequently resuscitated by emergency paramedics at the scene.”
RCMP say he has since been transported to hospital for further medical assessment and treatment of injuries believed to be non-life threatening in nature.
While witness accounts of the scene below state the man allegedly overdosed on fentanyl causing the crash, RCMP have not yet confirmed.
“Kelowna RCMP and the RCMP Integrated Road Safety Unit are actively investigating the crash in effort to determine whether or not the driver of the Honda either suffered a medical emergency behind the wheel or was under the influence of any intoxicating substances at the time of the crash,” added O’Donaghey.
The driver of the Dodge Ram pickup was medically assessed and released at the scene by paramedics.
—-
ORIGINAL 1:30 p.m.
A daytime alleged fentanyl overdose is reportedly behind a crash that backed up Springfield Road in Kelowna, Monday afternoon.
The accident occured about 12:30 p.m. at Springfield and Ambrosi Road, when apparently a burgundy SUV heading westbound jumped the median and crashed head-on into a black truck headed eastbound.
Ian Wright was driving behind the black truck and witnessed the entire thing.
He said he was shocked to see the SUV flying over the median into oncoming traffic.
“The gentleman in the black truck stopped and clearly couldn’t move and the SUV just smashed into him,” said Wright.
At first he, and another witness who pulled a U-turn to help, thought the SUV driver was experiencing a seizure as he was slouched over the wheel.
“We both thought it was a medical seizure from his shaking,” said Wright, who quickly learned a different story from emergency personnel on scene.
“Then I heard they gave him a total of four injections of naloxone. After the four injections he literally stood up and walked to the ambulance himself.”
Paramedics eventually took the driver away via ambulance, after being questioned by police.
The driver of the black truck was not injured and joined other witnesses providing information to the police.
RCMP on scene would not comment on the incident or confirm witness accounts. The Cap News will update this story with more information as it becomes available.
Send your best news tips, photos and videos by clicking the Contact tab at the top of the page.