A crash in Williams Lake on July 20, 2025, has highlighted the critical importance of wearing a seatbelt and driving sober. At approximately 3:00 p.m., a BC Highway Patrol officer was patrolling Mackenzie Avenue South when he noticed both a 28-year-old man in a Toyota Camry and a 19-year-old woman in a Ford F250 driving without seatbelts.
As the officer attempted to pull the vehicles over, the driver of the Camry rear-ended the F250. The collision, though low-speed, left the driver of the Camry with a bleeding head injury after hitting the windshield. Police later determined he was impaired, failing two breathalyzer tests.
The driver, a resident of Williams Lake, received several penalties, including a Notice of Driving Prohibition, vehicle impoundment, and fines for not wearing a seatbelt and driving without due care.
On the other hand, the woman driving the F250 walked away from the crash with minor or no injuries, thanks to her seatbelt. Corporal Michael McLaughlin emphasized how crucial seatbelts are in preventing injuries, noting that had the crash occurred at highway speed, the consequences could have been fatal for the impaired driver.
This incident serves as a timely reminder that even low-speed crashes can have serious consequences, especially when driving under the influence and without basic safety measures in place.
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