Around 5:39 p.m. on Aug. 15, 100 Mile House RCMP were called to a head-on collision involving two vehicles in the 4000 Block of Canim-Hendrix Lake Road near Forest Grove.
It was learned through witnesses at scene that a passenger car travelling west attempted to pass another vehicle and collided with an east bound SUV head on.
There were four occupants in the passenger vehicle and two in the SUV. Three male occupants inside the passenger car were injured. The male driver of the SUV also suffered injuries.
The driver of the passenger car fled the scene on foot into a wooded area. A police dog from Williams Lake attended and assisted in the search for the female who was also suspected of being injured.
South Cariboo Search and Rescue assistance was also requested. Cell phone contact was made with the female several hours after she left the scene and she agreed to walk out to the roadway. The female was spotted by an on duty paramedic near Buffalo Creek Road.
She was subsequently arrested for failing to remain at the scene of an accident, and was then taken to 100 Mile District General Hospital to determine if she had possible head injuries.
Three ambulance units attended the scene as well as Forest Grove Volunteer Fire Department and 100 Mile House Fire-Rescue. A male passenger had to be extricated from the passenger car.
An air ambulance helicopter from Kamloops attended and landed in a nearby ranch property. The male, who suffered head and back injuries, was transported to Royal Columbian Hospital in Kamloops.
The other two male occupants from the car, who suffered head and other injuries, were transported to 100 Mile District General Hospital and then later transported to Royal Columbian Hospital.
The driver of the SUV was also taken to 100 Mile District General Hospital where
he received treatment for shoulder injuries.
The driver of the passenger car was released by police at the hospital. Police are continuing to investigate the incident and will be seeking criminal charges against the female driver who is a resident of the 100 Mile House area.
Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the collision. It is also believed that seat belts were not being worn at the time by occupants in the passenger car, which also likely led to more serious injuries as a result.
The highway was blocked in both lanes for approximately two hours. Traffic was re-routed through Bates Road.
Police are seeking any additional witnesses to this incident and ask if anyone witnessed or has information regarding this collision to contact the 100 Mile House RCMP at 250-395-2456.