Collision on Hwy 5 leads to injuries and dog death
Published 11:45 am Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Slippery road conditions on Highway 5 led to accidents on Monday (Jan. 26) which resulted in injuries and the death of a dog.
Sgt. Grant Simpson of the Clearwater RCMP laid out the details of the incidents in a news release.
Crash near
Thuya Creek Rd.
At around 4:43 p.m., BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) notified the RCMP of an accident on Highway 5, about half a kilometre north of Thuya Creek Road.
Upon arrival at the scene, it was found that a car carrying a woman, man and a dog had lost control on the northbound lane and went off the road to the right, rolling over the embankment and coming to rest on the driver’s side.
“It does not appear that either occupant was wearing a seatbelt,” the release says.
“As a result, the female driver sustained injuries to her head but was able to climb back to the roadway and flag down another motorist.”
BCEHS and a fire crew were on scene when police arrived, and after about an hour they were able to cut the roof off the car and extricate the man from the driver’s seat area.
“It appears the male suffered a broken left arm, and possibly spinal injuries.
“No known drug/alcohol factors, with speed relative to road conditions the most likely cause of this collision.”
A small dog was badly injured and taken to the vet in Clearwater but did not survive.
“The registered owner was advised of this incident and will advise the male passenger’s mother of the dog’s passing, as they are separated.
“An accident report was completed due to the level of injury sustained.”
Collision south of Blue River
At around 4:51 p.m., Clearwater RCMP got a report of a single vehicle collision just south of Blue River, after receiving the report of the single vehicle collision in Thuya Creek.
Sgt. Simpson attended the scene near Blue River and found BCEHS leaving with the female driver, done as a precautionary measure due to neck and arm soreness.
A local tow company out of Avola was already on scene and the car was quickly removed from the northbound lane to a rest stop where it could be properly secured and towed, the release says.
“Simpson then attended to the Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital to speak briefly with the driver and obtain her Driver’s Licence details. Minor collision with minimal damage and very minor injuries. No photos obtained and no accident report required.”
Spinning out near Clearwater
At around 7:33 p.m., BCEHS notified Clearwater RCMP that they had come across a car that had spun out and was stuck on the northbound shoulder of Highway 5 near North Thompson Provincial Park.
They later advised that there was no injury and no other affected cars or people.
“The single occupant left prior to police arrival, however the vehicle was on the verge of rolling over the bank,” the release says.
“The local tow company attended and recovered a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer owned by a local woman. The vehicle did not appear to have any damage and was transported to the local tow compound.
“A message was left for the registered owner advising of the recovery.”
